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

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

109% career growth potential

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

Entry-Level (P10)
$76,400
$6,367/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$110,530
$9,211/mo
Senior (P90)
$159,740
$13,312/mo

Washington vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$76,400
National: $56,575
+35.0%
Mid-Career (Median)
$110,530
National: $83,815
+31.9%
Senior (P90)
$159,740
National: $144,332
+10.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington spans from $76,400 at entry-level to $159,740 at senior level — a difference of $83,340 per year.

P10
$76K
P25
$93K
Median
$110K
P75
$140K
P90
$159K

Career Growth Premium: +109%

Senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss in Washington earn $83,340 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$83,340
Monthly Difference
+$6,945
Hourly Difference
+$40.07
Growth Multiple
2.1x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $76,400 $6,367 $36.73
Early Career P25 $93,870 $7,822 $45.13
Mid-Career Median $110,530 $9,211 $53.14
Experienced P75 $140,080 $11,673 $67.35
Senior / Expert P90 $159,740 $13,312 $76.80
Key Insight

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington has a moderate salary progression with a 109% growth from entry-level ($76,400) to senior ($159,740). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($110,530) and P90 ($159,740) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Washington Compares to Other States

Where does Washington rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators senior-level salaries? Compare Washington'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%

Ready to Advance Your Detectives and Criminal Investigators Career?

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

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 $76,400 per year, or $6,366 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $93,870. 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 $159,740 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $140,080. This represents a career premium of 109% 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 109%. Entry-level professionals start at $76,400, while senior-level can earn up to $159,740 — a difference of $83,340 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 Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $159,740 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 Washington 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 Washington.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

Explore More in Washington

Related Analysis
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in Washington Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook