Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Virginia
Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia earn a median of $56,160 a year ($27.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,000 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $51,220. Virginia ranks 13th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.31 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| Median | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| 75th percentile | $76,680 | $36.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,000 | $45.67 |
| Average (mean) | $61,940 | $29.78 |
Half of private detectives and 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 | $4,680 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,340 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,160 |
| Weekly | $1,080 |
| Hourly | $27.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $62,300 | 790 |
| Richmond, VA | $52,430 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $45,990 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| Animal Control Worker | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $41,980 | $20.19 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Firefighter | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $54.21 |
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 33-9021. 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 private detectives and investigators make in Virginia?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Virginia is $56,160 a year, or $27.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Virginia earn at least $95,000 a year. The top 25% earn $76,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,530 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $41,200 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Virginia?
About 1,280 private detectives and investigators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.