Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Washington
In Washington, the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $55.67 an hour ($115,790 a year). About 1,850 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($93,790). Washington ranks 6th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Washington
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $40.63 | $84,500 |
| 25% of workers | $46.42 | $96,540 |
| Half of workers (median) | $55.67 | $115,790 |
| 75% of workers | $60.66 | $126,170 |
| 90% of workers | $78.30 | $162,860 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Washington metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $123,820 | 740 |
| Bellingham | $122,840 | 260 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $121,100 | 50 |
| Yakima | $108,890 | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $107,350 | 270 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $103,780 | 50 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $88,790 | 230 |
Washington unemployment rate: 4.9% (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
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Compliance Officers | $88,790 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,930 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $82,750 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,910 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,080 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 |
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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.