Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in West Virginia
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in West Virginia earn a median of $92,410 a year ($44.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,250 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $93,790. West Virginia ranks 21st of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.31 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $102,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,450 | $23.29 |
| 25th percentile | $56,770 | $27.30 |
| Median | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| 75th percentile | $149,280 | $71.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,250 | $82.33 |
| Average (mean) | $102,070 | $49.07 |
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 | $7,700.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,850.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,554.23 |
| Weekly | $1,777.12 |
| Hourly | $44.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $92,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,750 | 4,830 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $98,700 | 50 |
| Charleston, WV | $92,410 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,710 | 30 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Bailiff | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Security Guard | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Firefighter | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,670 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,410 | $22.31 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in West Virginia is $92,410 a year, or $44.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in West Virginia earn at least $171,250 a year. The top 25% earn $149,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,450 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $56,770 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in West Virginia?
About 220 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.