Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Richmond, VA

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

Median annual salary $88,500 -5.4% vs national
Median hourly $42.55
10th percentile $64,400
90th percentile $152,880
Employed locally 460
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $64,400
    25th
    $76,460
    50th (median)
    $88,500
    75th
    $115,070
    90th
    $152,880

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 105% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 5% 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 Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$37,960
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$62,480
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$52,050
    Firefighters$61,510
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29,900
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$100,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Richmond, VA is $42.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.97 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Richmond, VA is 5.4% 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $64,400 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,460.