Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in West Virginia: $105,500 Average

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Average base salary, West Virginia

$105,500 / year

≈ $8,800 per month · $50.72 per hour

LocationOr metro area

BLS May 2025 state data for West Virginia · median $95,500

25th percentile
$59,000Average
$105,50075th percentile
$154,500

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by state

Alabama$82,000

Alaska$129,500

Arizona$103,500

Arkansas$71,000

California$126,000

Colorado$113,000

Connecticut$105,500

Delaware$122,000

District of Columbia$153,500

Florida$96,500

Georgia$81,000

Hawaii$129,000

Idaho$84,500

Illinois$101,000

Indiana$80,500

Iowa$90,000

Kansas$81,500

Kentucky$90,000

Louisiana$73,500

Maine$96,000

Maryland$134,500

Massachusetts$122,500

Michigan$107,000

Minnesota$91,000

Mississippi$73,500

Missouri$88,500

Montana$97,000

Nebraska$107,500

Nevada$105,500

New Hampshire$108,500

New Jersey$120,500

New Mexico$88,000

New York$109,500

North Carolina$78,500

North Dakota$91,500

Ohio$94,000

Oklahoma$89,500

Oregon$117,500

Pennsylvania$105,500

Rhode Island$102,000

South Carolina$79,500

South Dakota$94,000

Tennessee$91,000

Texas$95,500

Utah$93,000

Vermont$108,000

Virginia$124,000

Washington$122,000

West Virginia$105,500

Wisconsin$94,000

Wyoming$95,000

About this role

Detectives and Criminal Investigators is a professional role in the Protective Service job family, focused on Detectives and Criminal Investigators work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.

What Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss do

Typical education: High School Diploma

Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.

Top skills: Active Listening Speaking Critical Thinking Social Perceptiveness Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving

Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by industry

Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS

113,700 workers

$103,000

Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)

48,780 workers

$86,000

Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation)

41,630 workers

$132,000

State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)

23,890 workers

$86,500

Sectors 48 and 49 – Transportation and Warehousing

400 workers

$126,000

Educational Services

260 workers

$83,000

Health Care and Social Assistance

60 workers

$91,000

National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.

How this role compares

Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays 51% above the average across 24 roles in the Protective Service job family (family average $68,000).

Similar-paying roles in Protective Service

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$100,500

Transit and Railroad Police$95,000

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$116,000

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$87,500

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$82,000

Fire Inspectors and Investigators$81,500

Fish and Game Wardens$77,500

First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other$77,000

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists$69,000

Transportation Security Screener$66,500

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators make?

The average base salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the United States is $103,000 per year, or about $49.52 per hour.

What is the typical salary range?

Pay typically falls between $71,500 and $124,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

How does this compare with other Protective Service roles?

The Protective Service job family averages $68,000 across 24 roles tracked by WePayFairly.

Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.

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