Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in West Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,060
- 50th Percentile — Median$46,410
- 75th Percentile — Senior$60,740
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,560
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in West Virginia earn more than $46,410. The top 10% make $78,560 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,990.
Private Detectives and Investigators in West Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- West Virginia ranks 38th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $49,600 per year (17.5% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 170 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in West Virginia — 0.5% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.03: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in West Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,990; the top 10% earn over $78,560.
- Hourly equivalent: $23.85 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in West Virginia, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($102,070).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in West Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
West Virginia's key industries are Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated low. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $49,600 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.78 (U.S. = 1.00), a West Virginia salary of $49,600 is roughly equivalent to $63,590 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Montana ($52,540), Kentucky ($51,130), Wisconsin ($50,660) 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 West Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $102,070/yr West Virginia +105.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $75,730/yr West Virginia +52.7% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,670/yr West Virginia +14.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $55,900/yr West Virginia +12.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $54,400/yr West Virginia +9.7% vs this role
- Firefighters $40,100/yr West Virginia 19.2% vs this role
- Security Guards $31,320/yr West Virginia 36.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in West Virginia?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in West Virginia is $49,600 per year (median $46,410), which is 17.5% below the national average of $60,150.
How does West Virginia rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
West Virginia ranks 38th 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 West Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in West Virginia earn about $35,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,060.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in West Virginia?
About $23.85 per hour, based on the $49,600 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in West Virginia?
BLS counts 170 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in West Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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