Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Charleston, WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston, WV

Median annual salary $92,410 -1.3% vs national
Median hourly $44.43
10th percentile $50,270
90th percentile $166,860
Employed locally 80
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Charleston, WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,270
    25th
    $53,520
    50th (median)
    $92,410
    75th
    $136,120
    90th
    $166,860

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,089 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 159% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 59% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $56,710

    Related occupations in Charleston, WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,220
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $58,140
    Firefighters $38,340
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $30,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $35,710
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $73,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Charleston, WV is $44.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.22 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Charleston, WV is 1.3% below the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Charleston?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $50,270 per year in Charleston, WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,520.