Private Detectives and Investigators salary in South Carolina
Private Detectives and Investigators in South Carolina earn a median of $51,530 a year ($24.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,740 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $51,220. South Carolina ranks 22nd of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.27 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| 25th percentile | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Median | $51,530 | $24.78 |
| 75th percentile | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Average (mean) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
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 | $4,294.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,147.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,981.92 |
| Weekly | $990.96 |
| Hourly | $24.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,530 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 cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $73,430 | 860 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $49,740 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,000 | 100 |
| 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.
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Animal Control Worker | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Firefighter | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,890 | $23.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in South Carolina is $51,530 a year, or $24.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in South Carolina earn at least $93,740 a year. The top 25% earn $73,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,000 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $40,140 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in South Carolina?
About 620 private detectives and investigators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.