Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $75.36 an hour ($156,750 a year). About 4,830 people work in this job there.
That is 67% higher than the U.S. median ($93,790). It is 2% lower than the District of Columbia median ($160,760).
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $43.42 | $90,310 |
| 25% of workers | $53.22 | $110,700 |
| Half of workers (median) | $75.36 | $156,750 |
| 75% of workers | $84.54 | $175,840 |
| 90% of workers | $93.84 | $195,190 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $156,750 | 4,830 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for detectives and criminal investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.2% over ten years, little or no change · about 7,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $84,000 |
| Compliance Officers | $100,200 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $120,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $125,960 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $70,570 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.