Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $50,080 a year ($24.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,870 for the top 10%. That is 47% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 23% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $65,430. 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 $76,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,810 | $16.73 |
| 25th percentile | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Median | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| 75th percentile | $97,720 | $46.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,870 | $75.90 |
| Average (mean) | $76,080 | $36.58 |
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 | $4,173.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,086.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,926.15 |
| Weekly | $963.08 |
| Hourly | $24.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $158,060 | 240 |
| Mobile, AL | $98,310 | 100 |
| Huntsville, AL | $91,230 | 240 |
| Birmingham, AL | $79,560 | 230 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,600 | 140 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $74,250 | 70 |
| Savannah, GA | $72,460 | 170 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $72,420 | 40 |
| Albany, GA | $70,930 | 70 |
| Montgomery, AL | $70,710 | 220 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $69,900 | 3,070 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $68,520 | 240 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $64,980 | 230 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $64,140 | 40 |
| Gainesville, GA | $62,520 | 80 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $61,140 | 30 |
| Hinesville, GA | $60,150 | 40 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $58,850 | 90 |
| Valdosta, GA | $55,520 | 50 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $50,700 | 50 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Bailiff | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| Security Guard | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Firefighter | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,540 | $12.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,560 | $13.25 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $50,080 a year, or $24.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $157,870 a year. The top 25% earn $97,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,810 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $50,080 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 170 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.