Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Median annual salary $91,960 -1.7% vs national
Median hourly $44.21
10th percentile $55,340
90th percentile $157,290
Employed locally 440
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Virginia Beach, VA-NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
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Virginia Beach, VA-NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,340
    25th
    $70,410
    50th (median)
    $91,960
    75th
    $129,310
    90th
    $157,290

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 114% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 14% 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 Virginia Beach, VA-NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,810
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $59,030
    Firefighters $57,620
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,310
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $30,520
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $31,500

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $44.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.12 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is 1.7% 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $55,340 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $70,410.