Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in North Carolina
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in North Carolina earn a median of $63,280 a year ($30.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,550 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $93,790. North Carolina ranks 47th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.68 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| 25th percentile | $57,040 | $27.43 |
| Median | $63,280 | $30.43 |
| 75th percentile | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,550 | $66.13 |
| Average (mean) | $76,020 | $36.55 |
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 | $5,273.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,636.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,433.85 |
| Weekly | $1,216.92 |
| Hourly | $30.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,790 | 460 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $92,410 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $77,210 | 630 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $71,460 | 600 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $68,790 | 160 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $67,970 | 30 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $64,590 | 170 |
| Burlington, NC | $63,780 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $62,580 | 210 |
| Asheville, NC | $62,460 | 140 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $62,260 | 140 |
| Greenville, NC | $61,220 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $61,210 | 240 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $59,390 | 40 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $57,220 | 100 |
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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Bailiff | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Security Guard | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Firefighter | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,730 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,970 | $15.85 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in North Carolina is $63,280 a year, or $30.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in North Carolina earn at least $137,550 a year. The top 25% earn $80,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,260 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $57,040 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in North Carolina?
About 3,360 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.