Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $53,610 a year ($25.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,230 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $52,890. There are 0.11 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $51,800, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 25th percentile | $38,860 | $18.69 |
| Median | $53,610 | $25.77 |
| 75th percentile | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,230 | $30.88 |
| Average (mean) | $51,800 | $24.90 |
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 | $4,467.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,233.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,061.92 |
| Weekly | $1,030.96 |
| Hourly | $25.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,610 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 |
| Asheville, NC | $53,900 | 50 |
| 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,280 | $13.11 |
| School Bus Monitor | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,790 | $27.78 |
| Firefighter | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,520 | $28.61 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,450 | $24.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $75,470 | $36.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $53,610 a year, or $25.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $64,230 a year. The top 25% earn $64,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,920 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,860 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.