Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in Washington is $115,790/year ($55.67/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $85K at the entry level to $163K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $113,508 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 23.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $116K get you in Washington?
About detectives and criminal investigators
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for detectives and criminal investigators, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $94K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 24.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for detectives and criminal investigatorss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $85K. Mid-career wages sit at $116K. Top earners bring in $163K or more, a $78K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by metro in Washington
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $124K | +7% | 740 |
| Bellingham | $123K | +6% | 260 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $121K | +5% | 50 |
| Yakima | $109K | -6% | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $107K | -7% | 270 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $104K | -10% | 50 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $89K | -23% | 230 |
Compare to other states
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a detectives and criminal investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $116K, rent takes 24.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new detectives and criminal investigators typically earn — is $85K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,070/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is detectives and criminal investigator a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $116K here vs. $94K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for detectives and criminal investigators?
Washington pays $116K median vs. the U.S. average of $94K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $114K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Washington?
The median is $115,790 a year, that works out to about $56 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $84,500, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $162,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $116K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,487/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 24.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a detectives and criminal investigators salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median detectives and criminal investigators salary is worth about $113,508 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do detectives and criminal investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.