SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Virginia
Virginia · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia comes to $56,160 a year, ahead of the national median of $51,220 by 9.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Virginia comes to $56,160 a year, ahead of the national median of $51,220 by 9.6%. Pay ranges from under $35,530 at the tenth percentile to more than $95,000 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $41,200 to $76,680.
Employment stands at 1,280, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Virginia ranks number 13th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Richmond records the highest median at $52,430. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 429th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,530 | −30.6% |
| 25th | $41,200 | −19.6% |
| Median (50th) | $56,160 | +9.6% |
| 75th | $76,680 | +49.7% |
| 90th | $95,000 | +85.5% |
| Mean | $61,940 | +20.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $52,430 | 130 | |
| 2 | Virginia Beach | $45,990 | 210 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $56,160 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$56,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,549US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,160 a year, 9.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,530 to $95,000 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,280 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 13th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $52,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $56,160, or $27.00 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 $51,220, so pay in Virginia is 9.6% 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 Virginia earns more than $95,000 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,530 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 Richmond, at $52,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,280 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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