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How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Washington?

$156,800a year

Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $75.36 an hour or $13,060 a month.

Hourly
$75.36
Vs. national median
+67%
Rank among cities
3 of 288
Jobs in the area
4,830
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $90,310Median: $156,800Highest 10%: $195,200
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$90,310$43.42
25th$110,700$53.22
Median$156,800$75.36
75th$175,800$84.54
90th$195,200$93.84

Other cities in District of Columbia

Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators.

No other city in the state with data.
Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in District of Columbia Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in Washington

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$126,000
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$118,600
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$99,510
Fire Inspector and Investigator$87,630
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$84,000
First-Line Supervisors of Security Worker$73,490
Correctional Officer and Jailer$70,570
Transportation Security Screener$69,910
Firefighter$66,980
Private Detective and Investigator$62,300
Salaries for every job in Washington, DC

Frequently asked questions

How much does a detective and criminal investigator make an hour in Washington?

The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $75.36 ($156,800 a year).

Do detective and criminal investigators make more in Washington than the national average?

Yes: $156,800 against $93,790 nationally, 67% more.

How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?

The median in District of Columbia is $160,800, so Washington pays 2% less.

Where does Washington rank for detective and criminal investigator pay?

3 of 288 metro areas with data.

How much does a detective and criminal investigator make starting out in Washington?

The lowest-paid 10% make $90,310 or less a year; the top 10% make $195,200 or more.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.