📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$81,245
per year
Median
$75,785
per year
Hourly
$39.06
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,579
25th Percentile — Junior$67,595
50th Percentile — Median$75,785
75th Percentile — Senior$103,631
90th Percentile — Top Earners$117,443
💡 Top-earning Detective and Criminal Investigators in North Carolina make up to $117,443 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$71.8k
2021
$73.6k
2022
$75.4k
2023
$77.3k
2024
$79.3k
2025
$81.2k
2026
📈 Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $77,995 -4.0% Medium
Raleigh $79,620 -2.0% Medium
Greensboro $73,120 -10.0% Medium
Durham $78,808 -3.0% Medium
Winston-Salem $70,683 -13.0% Medium
🔍
Detective and Criminal Investigator Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Detective and Criminal Investigators. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $81,245 per year, North Carolina's Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $51,579–$67,595, while experienced Detective and Criminal Investigators can command $103,631–$117,443.

Looking ahead, the Detective and Criminal Investigator profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in North Carolina is $81,245 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $89,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Detective and Criminal Investigators the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Detective and Criminal Investigator employment.
  • At $81,245/year, North Carolina Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $89,280/year.