Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Columbia, SC
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $48,000 a year ($23.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,920 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 7% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $51,530. There are 0.24 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| 25th percentile | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Median | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 75th percentile | $59,620 | $28.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,920 | $38.90 |
| Average (mean) | $54,860 | $26.38 |
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 | $4,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,000 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,846.15 |
| Weekly | $923.08 |
| Hourly | $23.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,000 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.
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 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,330 | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $39,060 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,140 | $16.90 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,720 | $12.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,780 | $13.36 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Firefighter | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,830 | $29.73 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $48,000 a year, or $23.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $80,920 a year. The top 25% earn $59,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,240 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,660 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Columbia, SC?
About 100 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.