Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn a median of $41,330 a year ($19.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,370 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 8% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $45,060. There are 0.20 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 25th percentile | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Median | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| 75th percentile | $52,930 | $25.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,370 | $48.74 |
| Average (mean) | $50,880 | $24.46 |
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 | $3,444.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,722.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,589.62 |
| Weekly | $794.81 |
| Hourly | $19.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia 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 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $49,740 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,000 | 100 |
| Savannah, GA | $45,960 | 60 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $45,080 | 980 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $39,060 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $36,750 | 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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| School Bus Monitor | $20,190 | $9.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $23,470 | $11.29 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,700 | $13.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,130 | $15.93 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,390 | $25.67 |
| Firefighter | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,580 | $35.86 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $61,530 | $29.58 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
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 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area is $41,330 a year, or $19.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn at least $101,370 a year. The top 25% earn $52,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,090 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,120 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
About 50 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.