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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in VA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Private Detectives and Investigators in VA have a median annual salary of $56,160, with 1,280 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $35,530 at the 10th percentile to $95,000 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$56,160

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$27.00

Employment

1,280

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$35,530
10th
$41,200
25th
$56,160
Median
$76,680
75th
$95,000
90th

Local compared with national

VA

$56,160

Median annual · 2025

United States

$51,220

Median annual · 2025

The VA median is 9.6% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $4,940).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 4.1
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 4.0
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.9
  5. 5.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.8
  6. 6.WritingImportance 3.6
  7. 7.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.5
  8. 8.Active LearningImportance 3.4
  9. 9.MonitoringImportance 3.4
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.4
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Service OrientationImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Computer imaging software
  • Email software
  • Facebook
  • LexisNexis
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Web browser software

Common tasks

  • Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
  • Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
  • Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
  • Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
  • Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
  • Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
  • Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
  • Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
  • Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
  • Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other locations

Other occupations in VA