District of Columbia Median
$160,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$77.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+71% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#1 of 51
2,980 employed here
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in District of Columbia?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia take home a median of $160,760 annually — roughly $77.29 an hour — which runs 71% above the national median of $93,790.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $94,220 while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $114,230 and $170,810 a year.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,220 | $45.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $114,230 | $54.92 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $160,760 | $77.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $170,810 | $82.12 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other states
Maryland $126,730California $124,840Delaware $122,050New Jersey $116,300Washington $115,790Alaska $114,940Hawaii $113,940Virginia $112,760Massachusetts $110,150Oregon $107,450Vermont $106,330Colorado $105,480Arizona $102,340New York $101,240Nebraska $100,530Pennsylvania $97,580Connecticut $95,240Nevada $94,470Montana $92,410West Virginia $92,410Illinois $91,190Wisconsin $91,040Michigan $90,650Texas $90,510New Hampshire $89,290Rhode Island $88,450Maine $88,310New Mexico $86,840North Dakota $82,290Wyoming $81,880Oklahoma $80,430Minnesota $80,000Iowa $79,560Ohio $79,300Utah $78,920South Dakota $77,730Tennessee $77,090Florida $77,060Kansas $75,740Missouri $75,650Idaho $72,520Kentucky $71,670Indiana $70,340Alabama $66,290Georgia $65,430North Carolina $63,280South Carolina $62,760Louisiana $60,450Mississippi $58,640Arkansas $54,500
Working as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 114,000 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($160,760) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in District of Columbia?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in District of Columbia is $160,760 per year, or about $77.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $94,220 at the entry level to $195,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 71% more than the national median of $93,790. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $160,760 a year. About 2,980 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.