Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Richmond, VA

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

Median annual salary $63,580 +21.4% vs national
Median hourly $30.57
10th percentile $37,560
90th percentile $105,700
Employed locally 170
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,560
    25th
    $45,820
    50th (median)
    $63,580
    75th
    $93,210
    90th
    $105,700

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 75% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 25% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $69,500
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $62,190
    Vallejo, CA $58,250
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $57,650
    Pennsylvania $51,220

    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 Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Richmond?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Richmond, VA is $30.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.75 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Richmond, VA is 21.4% above the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Richmond?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $37,560 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,820.