Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,260
- 25th Percentile — Junior$57,040
- 50th Percentile — Median$63,280
- 75th Percentile — Senior$80,330
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$137,550
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in North Carolina earn more than $63,280. The top 10% make $137,550 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,260.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 48th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $76,020 per year (23.5% below the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 3,360 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in North Carolina — 2.9% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.92: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,260; the top 10% earn over $137,550.
- Hourly equivalent: $36.55 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($91,280).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $76,020 on average, placing the state 48th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $76,020 is roughly equivalent to $83,538 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($78,750), Georgia ($78,140), Indiana ($77,610) are the closest alternatives for Detectives and Criminal Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $91,280/yr North Carolina +20.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $69,510/yr North Carolina 8.6% vs this role
- Police Officers $61,390/yr North Carolina 19.2% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $61,350/yr North Carolina 19.3% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,390/yr North Carolina 32.4% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,060/yr North Carolina 43.4% vs this role
- Security Guards $39,090/yr North Carolina 48.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in North Carolina?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in North Carolina is $76,020 per year (median $63,280), which is 23.5% below the national average of $99,430.
How does North Carolina rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
North Carolina ranks 48th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,110/yr).
How much do entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in North Carolina earn about $50,260 per year and the 25th percentile is $57,040.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in North Carolina?
About $36.55 per hour, based on the $76,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 3,360 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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