Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $36,750 a year ($17.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,480 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 18% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $45,060. There are 0.43 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,850 | $14.83 |
| 25th percentile | $33,610 | $16.16 |
| Median | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 75th percentile | $43,170 | $20.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Average (mean) | $42,570 | $20.47 |
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 | $3,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,413.46 |
| Weekly | $706.73 |
| Hourly | $17.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,750 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $49,390 | 180 |
| Mobile, AL | $47,770 | 60 |
| Montgomery, AL | $47,100 | 60 |
| Savannah, GA | $45,960 | 60 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $45,080 | 980 |
| Huntsville, AL | $43,950 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,330 | 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 Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,540 | $12.28 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Firefighter | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| Bailiff | $32,810 | $15.77 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $36,750 a year, or $17.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $64,480 a year. The top 25% earn $43,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,850 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $33,610 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 50 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.