Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Virginia
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia earn a median of $112,760 a year ($54.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $93,790. Virginia ranks 9th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.78 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $119,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| 25th percentile | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Median | $112,760 | $54.21 |
| 75th percentile | $160,760 | $77.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $119,620 | $57.51 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,396.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,698.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,336.92 |
| Weekly | $2,168.46 |
| Hourly | $54.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $112,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,750 | 4,830 |
| Roanoke, VA | $114,050 | 130 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $96,430 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,790 | 460 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $93,160 | 50 |
| Richmond, VA | $91,080 | 490 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $84,660 | 60 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $77,250 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Bailiff | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $66,540 | $31.99 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Security Guard | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Firefighter | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Virginia?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Virginia is $112,760 a year, or $54.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Virginia earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $160,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,730 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $79,770 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Virginia?
About 3,180 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.