Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in Washington, DC
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $156,750 a year — 67% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $108,049 take-home, or $9,004 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median detective and criminal investigator salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$26,354
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,719
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,273
- District of Columbia income tax$10,355
- Take-home pay$108,049
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Detective and Criminal Investigator pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,310 | $43.42 | $67,655 | $5,638 |
| 25th percentile | $110,700 | $53.22 | $80,266 | $6,689 |
| Median (50th) | $156,750 | $75.36 | $108,049 | $9,004 |
| 75th percentile | $175,840 | $84.54 | $119,475 | $9,956 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $156,750 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median detective and criminal investigator's $108,049 take-home pay has the buying power of $99,233 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 2.1× the national concentration of detective and criminal investigator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $156,750 | $108,049 | $99,233 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $127,890 | $89,352 | $78,679 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $124,840 | $87,591 | $78,285 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,440 | $78,471 | $69,713 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $69,900 | $55,000 | $54,968 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: detectives and criminal investigators
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.2% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Washington, DC?
The median detective and criminal investigator salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $156,750 a year, or about $75.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $110,700 and $175,840.
What is a detective and criminal investigator’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $156,750 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $108,049 a year ($9,004 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,355 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a detective and criminal investigator?
Pay here is 67% above the national median of $93,790. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $99,233 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a detective and criminal investigator afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median detective and criminal investigator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $125,960
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $118,570
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $84,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $73,490
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $70,570
- Firefighter — $66,980
- Security Guard — $46,830
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $34,710