As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Criminalist in Virginia is $44,197, equivalent to $21 per hour, $850 weekly, or $3,683 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Criminalist in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Criminalist in Virginia vary widely, spanning from $37,431 to $58,392. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($40,656) and 75th percentile ($51,628), while top earners (90th percentile) make $58,392 per year. This $10,972 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Document Review, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Virginia Criminalist often earn 0.7% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 6 companies. However, Virginia currently ranks 18 nationwide for Criminalist job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.