Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median of $42,660 a year ($20.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,030 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 19% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $52,890. There are 0.31 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Winston-Salem, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Median | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| 75th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,030 | $27.90 |
| Average (mean) | $46,130 | $22.18 |
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 | $3,555 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,777.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,640.77 |
| Weekly | $820.38 |
| Hourly | $20.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,660 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 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $44,820 | 30 |
| 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 Winston-Salem, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,300 | $12.64 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,380 | $16.05 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| Firefighter | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $55,940 | $26.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $63,950 | $30.75 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $42,660 a year, or $20.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn at least $58,030 a year. The top 25% earn $52,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Winston-Salem, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,360 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,460 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Winston-Salem, NC?
About 80 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.