Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,530
- 25th Percentile — Junior$41,200
- 50th Percentile — Median$56,160
- 75th Percentile — Senior$76,680
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$95,000
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia earn more than $56,160. The top 10% make $95,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,530.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 16th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $61,940 per year (3.0% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 1,280 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia — 3.6% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.36: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,530; the top 10% earn over $95,000.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.78 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Virginia, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($119,620).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $61,940 on average, placing the state 16th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $61,940 is roughly equivalent to $56,309 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($63,810), Vermont ($63,670), Arizona ($62,410) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $119,620/yr Virginia +93.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $112,200/yr Virginia +81.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $93,750/yr Virginia +51.4% vs this role
- Police Officers $70,450/yr Virginia +13.7% vs this role
- Firefighters $58,240/yr Virginia 6.0% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $54,450/yr Virginia 12.1% vs this role
- Security Guards $47,070/yr Virginia 24.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Virginia?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Virginia is $61,940 per year (median $56,160), which is 3.0% above the national average of $60,150.
How does Virginia rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Virginia ranks 16th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia earn about $35,530 per year and the 25th percentile is $41,200.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Virginia?
About $29.78 per hour, based on the $61,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Virginia?
BLS counts 1,280 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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