Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,960
- 25th Percentile — Junior$55,490
- 50th Percentile — Median$62,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$77,200
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$149,280
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Carolina earn more than $62,760. The top 10% make $149,280 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,960.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 47th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $77,020 per year (22.5% below the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 1,470 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Carolina — 1.3% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,960; the top 10% earn over $149,280.
- Hourly equivalent: $37.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($81,260).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $77,020 on average, placing the state 47th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $77,020 is roughly equivalent to $87,523 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alabama ($79,070), Kansas ($78,750), Georgia ($78,140) 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 South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $81,260/yr South Carolina +5.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $70,880/yr South Carolina 8.0% vs this role
- Police Officers $60,420/yr South Carolina 21.6% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $58,980/yr South Carolina 23.4% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,520/yr South Carolina 33.1% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,900/yr South Carolina 43.0% vs this role
- Security Guards $37,060/yr South Carolina 51.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in South Carolina?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in South Carolina is $77,020 per year (median $62,760), which is 22.5% below the national average of $99,430.
How does South Carolina rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
South Carolina ranks 47th 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 South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Carolina earn about $50,960 per year and the 25th percentile is $55,490.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in South Carolina?
About $37.03 per hour, based on the $77,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 1,470 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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