Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $44,820 a year ($21.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,640 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 15% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $52,890. There are 0.20 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| 25th percentile | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Median | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| 75th percentile | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| Average (mean) | $47,210 | $22.70 |
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 | $3,735 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,867.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,723.85 |
| Weekly | $861.92 |
| Hourly | $21.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,820 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $31,860 | $15.32 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,480 | $11.77 |
| Firefighter | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $44,820 a year, or $21.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $54,640 a year. The top 25% earn $51,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,260 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,880 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 30 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.