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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Virginia
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Virginia?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$56,160
Median Annual Salary
▲
+15.2% vs 2024
$61,940
Mean Salary
$56,160
Median Salary
$27.00
Hourly Rate
1,280 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by percentile in Virginia
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia earn a median salary of $56,160 per year ($4,680/month).
This is 8.2% above the national average of $51,911.
Virginia ranks #13 out of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay.
Approximately 1,280 people work in this occupation across Virginia.
Salaries increased by 15.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Private Detectives and Investigators
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
4.12
Speaking
4.0
Reading Comprehension
3.88
Critical Thinking
3.88
Complex Problem Solving
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
4.21
Customer and Personal Service
4.16
Law and Government
4.02
Computers and Electronics
3.56
Administrative
3.55
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(37.7% of workers)
Salary Range: Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia range from $35,530 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $95,000 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $41,200 and $76,680.
Median $56,160
P10: $35,530P25: $41,200P75: $76,680P90: $95,000
10th
$35,530
25th
$41,200
Median
$56,160
75th
$76,680
90th
$95,000
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$35,530
$17.08
$2,960
25th Percentile
$41,200
$19.81
$3,433
Median (50th)
$56,160
$27.00
$4,680
75th Percentile
$76,680
$36.87
$6,390
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$95,000
$45.67
$7,916
Note: The mean (average) salary of $61,940 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#13
Virginia ranks #13 of 49 states
$51,911
National avg. for Private Detectives and Investigators
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Virginia?
The median annual salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia is $56,160 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $61,940.
What is the salary range for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia?
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia range from $35,530 at the 10th percentile to $95,000 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $41,200 and $76,680.
What is the starting salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia?
Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators positions in Virginia typically start around $35,530 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $41,200 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,280 people are employed as Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia.
What is the hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Virginia is approximately $27.00 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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