Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,600
- 25th Percentile — Junior$41,000
- 50th Percentile — Median$52,890
- 75th Percentile — Senior$74,900
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$98,560
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina earn more than $52,890. The top 10% make $98,560 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,600.
Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 17th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $61,350 per year (2.0% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 1,710 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina — 4.8% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.51: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,600; the top 10% earn over $98,560.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.5 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($91,280).
Private Detectives and 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. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $61,350 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $61,350 is roughly equivalent to $67,418 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($63,670), Arizona ($62,410), Alaska ($62,190) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and 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 +48.8% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $76,020/yr North Carolina +23.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $69,510/yr North Carolina +13.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $61,390/yr North Carolina +0.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,390/yr North Carolina 16.2% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,060/yr North Carolina 29.8% vs this role
- Security Guards $39,090/yr North Carolina 36.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in North Carolina?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in North Carolina is $61,350 per year (median $52,890), which is 2.0% above the national average of $60,150.
How does North Carolina rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
North Carolina ranks 17th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina earn about $36,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $41,000.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in North Carolina?
About $29.5 per hour, based on the $61,350 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 1,710 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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