Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Washington
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington earn a median of $115,790 a year ($55.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,860 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $93,790. Washington ranks 6th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.52 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $118,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,500 | $40.63 |
| 25th percentile | $96,540 | $46.42 |
| Median | $115,790 | $55.67 |
| 75th percentile | $126,170 | $60.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,860 | $78.30 |
| Average (mean) | $118,040 | $56.75 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,649.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,824.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,453.46 |
| Weekly | $2,226.73 |
| Hourly | $55.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $115,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $123,820 | 740 |
| Bellingham, WA | $122,840 | 260 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $121,100 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $119,350 | 310 |
| Yakima, WA | $108,890 | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $107,350 | 270 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $103,780 | 50 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $88,790 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| Bailiff | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Security Guard | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Firefighter | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $129,350 | $62.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,080 | $30.81 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Washington?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Washington is $115,790 a year, or $55.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Washington?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Washington earn at least $162,860 a year. The top 25% earn $126,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,500 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $96,540 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Washington?
About 1,850 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.