Washington ranks 4th of 50 states and D.C. for detectives and criminal investigators pay, trailing top-paying Maryland ($125,630) by $9,180 — a 8% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $86,200 to $164,240 — a $78,040 spread, 26% tighter than the national $105,250 range.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators are less concentrated in Washington than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.66 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.52× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| 25th percentile | $97,500 | $46.88 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $116,450 | $55.99 |
| 75th percentile | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,240 | $78.96 |
| Mean (average) | $118,100 | $56.78 |
How Washington Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (current) | $116,450 | n/a |
| Maryland | $125,630 | +8% |
| California | $122,140 | +5% |
| Alaska | $121,140 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $113,830 | -2% |
| Hawaii | $112,100 | -4% |
| Massachusetts | $111,460 | -4% |
| Virginia | $110,220 | -5% |
| Oregon | $107,450 | -8% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Washington
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialists | $117,030 | 35,660 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,050 | 980 |
| Database Administrators | $114,700 | 2,190 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $118,470 | 2,850 |
| Management Analysts | $118,730 | 24,900 |
| Industrial Engineers | $119,670 | 6,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Washington?
The mean detectives and criminal investigators salary in Washington is $118,100 per year. The median (middle) salary is $116,450 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington?
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigatorss (10th percentile) in Washington typically earn around $86,200 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $97,500 per year.
What is the highest Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Washington?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Washington make approximately $164,240 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $126,570 per year.
How does the Washington Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary compare to the national average?
The median detectives and criminal investigators salary in Washington is $116,450, which is +24% above national average of $93,580.