How much does a Police Detective make in Washington, DC?

As of May 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Police Detective in Washington, DC is $37,847. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $34,603 to $42,042, with most professionals earning between $31,650 and $45,862.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Police Detective Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Police Detective Salary $31,650 Washington,DC May 01, 2025
25th Percentile Police Detective Salary $34,603 Washington,DC May 01, 2025
50th Percentile Police Detective Salary $37,847 Washington,DC May 01, 2025
75th Percentile Police Detective Salary $42,042 Washington,DC May 01, 2025
90th Percentile Police Detective Salary $45,862 Washington,DC May 01, 2025
25% $34,603 10% $31,650 90% $45,862 75% $42,042 $37,847 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a Police Detective ?

A detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crime by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases. This leads them to arrest criminals and enable them to be convicted in court. A detective may work for the police or privately....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

See user submitted job responsibilities for Police Detective.

Job Openings for Police Detective in Washington, DC

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Police Detective, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
34603
42042
37847

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
32268
61428
39383
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Police Detective in Washington, DC. The base salary for Police Detective ranges from $34,603 to $42,042 with the average base salary of $37,847. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $32,268 to $61,428 with the average total cash compensation of $39,383.

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34603
42042

 

About Washington, District of Columbia    Washington, D.C. is located in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. East Coast. Due to the District of Columbia retrocession, the city has a total area....More

Washington, District of Columbia  area prices were up 1.3% from a year ago

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