Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Virginia
In Virginia, the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $54.21 an hour ($112,760 a year). About 3,180 people work in this job there.
That is 20% higher than the U.S. median ($93,790). Virginia ranks 9th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Virginia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $30.16 | $62,730 |
| 25% of workers | $38.35 | $79,770 |
| Half of workers (median) | $54.21 | $112,760 |
| 75% of workers | $77.29 | $160,760 |
| 90% of workers | $93.84 | $195,190 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | $114,050 | 130 |
| Lynchburg | $96,430 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $93,790 | 460 |
| Charlottesville | $93,160 | 50 |
| Richmond | $91,080 | 490 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $77,250 | 40 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 |
| Compliance Officers | $80,380 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $92,930 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,820 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,190 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $56,160 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $68,900 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.