Detectives and Criminal Investigators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Virginia (2024)

How does Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

225% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$54,510
$4,542/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$98,590
$8,216/mo
Senior (P90)
$177,340
$14,778/mo

Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$54,510
National: $56,575
-3.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$98,590
National: $83,815
+17.6%
Senior (P90)
$177,340
National: $144,332
+22.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia spans from $54,510 at entry-level to $177,340 at senior level — a difference of $122,830 per year.

P10
$54K
P25
$70K
Median
$98K
P75
$143K
P90
$177K

Career Growth Premium: +225%

Senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss in Virginia earn $122,830 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$122,830
Monthly Difference
+$10,236
Hourly Difference
+$59.05
Growth Multiple
3.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary increases with experience in Virginia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $54,510 $4,542 $26.21
Early Career P25 $70,990 $5,916 $34.13
Mid-Career Median $98,590 $8,216 $47.40
Experienced P75 $143,620 $11,968 $69.05
Senior / Expert P90 $177,340 $14,778 $85.26
Key Insight

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $54,510 to $177,340. This 225% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.

How Virginia Compares to Other States

Where does Virginia rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators senior-level salaries? Compare Virginia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$178,000
Entry: $65K
+172%
2
$177,340
Entry: $64K
+173%
3
$177,340
Entry: $54K
+225%
4
$171,790
Entry: $73K
+133%
5
$170,810
Entry: $66K
+155%
6
$166,610
Entry: $59K
+181%
7
$162,490
Entry: $74K
+119%
8
$159,740
Entry: $76K
+109%
9
$158,680
Entry: $41K
+281%
10
$158,500
Entry: $74K
+114%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators?

Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $54,510 per year, or $4,542 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $70,990. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Detectives and Criminal Investigators make?

Senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $177,340 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $143,620. This represents a career premium of 225% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators?

The career salary growth potential for Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss is 225%. Entry-level professionals start at $54,510, while senior-level can earn up to $177,340 — a difference of $122,830 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss?

The highest-paying state for senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss is Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $177,340 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Virginia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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