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Detectives and Criminal Investigators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Virginia (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

211% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$62,730
$5,228/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$112,760
$9,397/mo
Senior (P90)
$195,190
$16,266/mo

Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$62,730
National: $61,334
+2.3%
Mid-Career (Median)
$112,760
National: $90,619
+24.4%
Senior (P90)
$195,190
National: $150,580
+29.6%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia spans from $62,730 at entry-level to $195,190 at senior level — a difference of $132,460 per year.

P10
$62K
P25
$79K
Median
$112K
P75
$160K
P90
$195K

Career Growth Premium: +211%

Senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss in Virginia earn $132,460 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$132,460
Monthly Difference
+$11,038
Hourly Difference
+$63.68
Growth Multiple
3.1x

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 $62,730 $5,228 $30.16
Early Career P25 $79,770 $6,648 $38.35
Mid-Career Median $112,760 $9,397 $54.21
Experienced P75 $160,760 $13,397 $77.29
Senior / Expert P90 $195,190 $16,266 $93.84
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 $62,730 to $195,190. This 211% 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
$195,190
Entry: $94K
+107%
2
$195,190
Entry: $62K
+211%
3
$188,700
Entry: $71K
+165%
4
$183,680
Entry: $79K
+131%
5
$179,030
Entry: $76K
+135%
6
$174,050
Entry: $74K
+133%
7
$171,250
Entry: $48K
+253%
8
$166,800
Entry: $62K
+168%
9
$165,570
Entry: $73K
+126%
10
$165,510
Entry: $78K
+111%

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 $62,730 per year, or $5,227 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $79,770. Based on 2025 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 $195,190 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $160,760. This represents a career premium of 211% 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 211%. Entry-level professionals start at $62,730, while senior-level can earn up to $195,190 — a difference of $132,460 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 $195,190 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) 2025 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.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. 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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