Private Detectives and Investigators salary in North Carolina
Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina earn a median of $52,890 a year ($25.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,560 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $51,220. North Carolina ranks 19th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.35 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| 25th percentile | $41,000 | $19.71 |
| Median | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| 75th percentile | $74,900 | $36.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| Average (mean) | $61,350 | $29.49 |
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 | $4,407.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,203.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,034.23 |
| Weekly | $1,017.12 |
| Hourly | $25.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,890 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| 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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,730 | $16.21 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,970 | $15.85 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,540 | $31.03 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,940 | $21.12 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Firefighter | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,280 | $30.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,390 | $27.59 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in North Carolina is $52,890 a year, or $25.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in North Carolina earn at least $98,560 a year. The top 25% earn $74,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,600 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $41,000 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in North Carolina?
About 1,710 private detectives and investigators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.