Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $77,210 a year ($37.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,720 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 22% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $63,280. There are 0.85 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| 25th percentile | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Median | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| 75th percentile | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,720 | $70.54 |
| Average (mean) | $84,340 | $40.55 |
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 | $6,434.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,217.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,969.62 |
| Weekly | $1,484.81 |
| Hourly | $37.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,210 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $93,790 | 460 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $92,410 | 100 |
| 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 or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,860 | $31.66 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,070 | $25.99 |
| Bailiff | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| Security Guard | $34,680 | $16.67 |
| Firefighter | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,380 | $13.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,470 | $37.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,630 | $15.21 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $77,120 | $37.08 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $77,210 a year, or $37.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $146,720 a year. The top 25% earn $87,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,030 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $62,810 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 630 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.