Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Virginia
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $112,760 —20.2% above the national median of $93,790. That ranks VA #9 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.05×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $160,760 | $77.29 | 2,980 | 5.78 |
| 2 | Maryland | $126,730 | $60.93 | 1,010 | 0.50 |
| 3 | California | $124,840 | $60.02 | 12,610 | 0.94 |
| 4 | Delaware | $122,050 | $58.68 | 140 | 0.40 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $116,300 | $55.92 | 3,080 | 0.98 |
| 6 | Washington | $115,790 | $55.67 | 1,850 | 0.71 |
| 7 | Alaska | $114,940 | $55.26 | 140 | 0.58 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $113,940 | $54.78 | 440 | 0.95 |
| 9 | Virginia | $112,760 | $54.21 | 3,180 | 1.05 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $110,150 | $52.96 | 1,300 | 0.49 |
Related occupations in Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,640 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $58,670 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $106,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators in Virginia is $112,760, or $54.21 per hour. That is 20.2% above the national median of $93,790.
What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $62,730 per year ($30.16/hour). The 25th percentile is $79,770.
How many people work as detectives and criminal investigators in Virginia?
About 3,180 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 0.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for detectives and criminal investigators?
Virginia ranks #9 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.05x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays detectives and criminal investigators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $160,760 per year, followed by Maryland ($126,730) and California ($124,840).