Private Detectives and Investigators salary in West Virginia
Private Detectives and Investigators in West Virginia earn a median of $46,410 a year ($22.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,560 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $51,220. West Virginia ranks 35th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.24 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Median | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| 75th percentile | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,560 | $37.77 |
| Average (mean) | $49,600 | $23.85 |
Half of private detectives and 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 | $3,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,933.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,785 |
| Weekly | $892.50 |
| Hourly | $22.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,410 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.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $62,300 | 790 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,670 | $11.86 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Firefighter | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
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 33-9021. 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 private detectives and investigators make in West Virginia?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in West Virginia is $46,410 a year, or $22.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in West Virginia earn at least $78,560 a year. The top 25% earn $60,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,990 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,060 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in West Virginia?
About 170 private detectives and investigators are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.