Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Charlottesville, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlottesville, VA

Median annual salary $91,380 -2.4% vs national
Median hourly $43.93
10th percentile $60,310
90th percentile $135,970
Employed locally 50
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Charlottesville, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,310
    25th
    $72,790
    50th (median)
    $91,380
    75th
    $110,180
    90th
    $135,970

    Charlottesville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $90,552 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 101% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 1% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,530
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $107,580
    Roanoke, VA $106,810
    Vallejo, CA $104,220

    Related occupations in Charlottesville, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$58,590
    Security Guards$42,230
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$52,220
    Firefighters$50,100
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$33,800
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$86,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Charlottesville, VA is $43.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.44 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Charlottesville, VA is 2.4% 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 Charlottesville?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $60,310 per year in Charlottesville, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $72,790.