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

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

Median annual salary $39,310 -24.9% vs national
Median hourly $18.90
10th percentile $34,800
90th percentile $81,180
Employed locally 130
National median $52,370

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

    10th
    $34,800
    25th
    $35,350
    50th (median)
    $39,310
    75th
    $59,340
    90th
    $81,180

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 49% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 51% 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
    Richmond, VA $63,580
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $62,190
    Vallejo, CA $58,250
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $57,650

    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 Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Virginia Beach?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $18.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.50 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is 24.9% below 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $34,800 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,350.