📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina · 12.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$78,566
per year
Median
$73,286
per year
Hourly
$37.77
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$49,878
25th Percentile — Junior$65,366
50th Percentile — Median$73,286
75th Percentile — Senior$100,214
90th Percentile — Top Earners$113,570
💡 Top-earning Detective and Criminal Investigators in South Carolina make up to $113,570 per year. The job market in South Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$69.4k
2021
$71.2k
2022
$73.0k
2023
$74.8k
2024
$76.7k
2025
$78.6k
2026
📈 Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries in South Carolina have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in South Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary by City in South Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Statewide Average $78,566 +0% Medium
🔍
Detective and Criminal Investigator Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

South Carolina is home to a strong job market for Detective and Criminal Investigators. The state's key industries — Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $78,566 per year, South Carolina's Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in South Carolina (index: 0.88) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in South Carolina can expect to earn $49,878–$65,366, while experienced Detective and Criminal Investigators can command $100,214–$113,570.

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

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in South Carolina is $78,566 per year in 2026, which is 12.0% below the national average of $89,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Detective and Criminal Investigators the highest wages in South Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • South Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing. This makes it one of the better states for Detective and Criminal Investigator employment.
  • At $78,566/year, South Carolina Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average of $89,280/year.