Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in South Carolina
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Carolina earn a median of $62,760 a year ($30.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $93,790. South Carolina ranks 48th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.64 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| 25th percentile | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Median | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| 75th percentile | $77,200 | $37.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,280 | $71.77 |
| Average (mean) | $77,020 | $37.03 |
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 | $5,230 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,615 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,413.85 |
| Weekly | $1,206.92 |
| Hourly | $30.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,760 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 cities in South Carolina
| 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 |
| Columbia, SC | $66,340 | 580 |
| 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.
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,890 | $23.02 |
| Bailiff | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Security Guard | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Firefighter | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,530 | $24.78 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in South Carolina is $62,760 a year, or $30.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in South Carolina earn at least $149,280 a year. The top 25% earn $77,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,960 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $55,490 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in South Carolina?
About 1,470 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.