SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Roanoke
Roanoke, VA · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Roanoke, VA comes to $114,050 a year, ahead of the national median of $93,790 by 21.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Roanoke, VA comes to $114,050 a year, ahead of the national median of $93,790 by 21.6%. Pay ranges from under $63,890 at the tenth percentile to more than $158,060 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $86,340 to $136,120.
Employment stands at 130, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Lynchburg records the highest median at $96,430. Of the 388 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 33rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,890 | −31.9% |
| 25th | $86,340 | −7.9% |
| Median (50th) | $114,050 | +21.6% |
| 75th | $136,120 | +45.1% |
| 90th | $158,060 | +68.5% |
| Mean | $111,420 | +18.8% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lynchburg | $96,430 | 90 | |
| 2 | Virginia Beach | $93,790 | 460 | |
| 3 | Charlottesville | $93,160 | 50 | |
| 4 | Richmond | $91,080 | 490 | |
| 5 | Blacksburg | $77,250 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Roanoke sit close to the national average, so $114,050 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$114,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$112,809US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $114,050 a year, 21.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,890 to $158,060 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lynchburg, at $96,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Roanoke, VA?
The median annual wage is $114,050, or $54.83 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 Roanoke, VA is 21.6% higher. 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 Roanoke, VA earns more than $158,060 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,890 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 Lynchburg, at $96,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Roanoke, 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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