Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Columbia, SC
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $66,340 a year ($31.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,120 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $62,760. There are 1.5 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| 25th percentile | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Median | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| 75th percentile | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Average (mean) | $75,550 | $36.32 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,528.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,764.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,551.54 |
| Weekly | $1,275.77 |
| Hourly | $31.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $78,410 | 190 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $72,060 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $71,460 | 600 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $64,980 | 230 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $62,700 | 170 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,920 | 40 |
| Sumter, SC | $56,500 | 40 |
| Florence, SC | $55,320 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Security Guard | $35,140 | $16.90 |
| Firefighter | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,720 | $12.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $85,820 | $41.26 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,740 | $20.07 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $66,340 a year, or $31.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $136,120 a year. The top 25% earn $78,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,730 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $55,480 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Columbia, SC?
About 580 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.