SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Northwest Virginia
Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA is $79,770 a year, trailing the national median of $93,790 by 14.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA is $79,770 a year, trailing the national median of $93,790 by 14.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $62,690 and $116,400. The lowest tenth earn under $61,870, while the highest tenth earn more than $120,430.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Roanoke records the highest median at $114,050. Of the 260 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 53rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,870 | −34.0% |
| 25th | $62,690 | −33.2% |
| Median (50th) | $79,770 | −14.9% |
| 75th | $116,400 | +24.1% |
| 90th | $120,430 | +28.4% |
| Mean | $88,780 | −5.3% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roanoke | $114,050 | 130 | |
| 2 | Lynchburg | $96,430 | 90 | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $93,790 | 460 | |
| 4 | Charlottesville | $93,160 | 50 | |
| 5 | Richmond | $91,080 | 490 | |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $77,250 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Virginia sit close to the national average, so $79,770 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$79,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$78,902US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,770 a year, 14.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $61,870 to $120,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Roanoke, at $114,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Northwest Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $79,770, or $38.35 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $93,790, so pay in Northwest Virginia, VA is 14.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA earns more than $120,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $61,870 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Roanoke, at $114,050 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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