Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Asheville, NC
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $53,900 a year ($25.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,000 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $52,890. There are 0.29 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,720, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,180 | $18.35 |
| 25th percentile | $41,090 | $19.76 |
| Median | $53,900 | $25.91 |
| 75th percentile | $53,900 | $25.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Average (mean) | $50,720 | $24.39 |
Half of private detectives and 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 | $4,491.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,245.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,073.08 |
| Weekly | $1,036.54 |
| Hourly | $25.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,900 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.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $73,430 | 860 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $53,610 | 40 |
| Greenville, NC | $51,010 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $45,990 | 210 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $45,390 | 180 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,820 | 30 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $42,660 | 80 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $41,630 | 70 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $38,500 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Firefighter | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,490 | $28.12 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,670 | $39.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,500 | $29.57 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. 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 private detectives and investigators make in Asheville, NC?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Asheville, NC metro area is $53,900 a year, or $25.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $61,000 a year. The top 25% earn $53,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,180 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $41,090 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Asheville, NC?
About 50 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.