Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Roanoke, VA

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

Median annual salary $106,810 +14.1% vs national
Median hourly $51.35
10th percentile $61,380
90th percentile $155,110
Employed locally 140
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Roanoke, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,380
    25th
    $81,590
    50th (median)
    $106,810
    75th
    $124,970
    90th
    $155,110

    Roanoke economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,447 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 158% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 58% 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
    Vallejo, CA $104,220
    Pennsylvania $98,740

    Related occupations in Roanoke, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$37,220
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$60,100
    Firefighters$38,880
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29,550
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$49,920
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$58,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Roanoke, VA is $51.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.99 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Roanoke, VA is 14.1% above 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 Roanoke?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $61,380 per year in Roanoke, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,590.