Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,000
- 25th Percentile — Junior$40,140
- 50th Percentile — Median$51,530
- 75th Percentile — Senior$73,430
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,740
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in South Carolina earn more than $51,530. The top 10% make $93,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,000.
Private Detectives and Investigators in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 22nd of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $58,980 per year (1.9% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 620 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in South Carolina — 1.7% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.17: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,000; the top 10% earn over $93,740.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.36 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in South Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($81,260).
Private Detectives and 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. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $58,980 on average, placing the state 22nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $58,980 is roughly equivalent to $67,023 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Rhode Island ($60,960), Pennsylvania ($59,880), Utah ($59,830) 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 South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $81,260/yr South Carolina +37.8% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $77,020/yr South Carolina +30.6% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $70,880/yr South Carolina +20.2% vs this role
- Police Officers $60,420/yr South Carolina +2.4% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,520/yr South Carolina 12.6% vs this role
- Firefighters $43,900/yr South Carolina 25.6% vs this role
- Security Guards $37,060/yr South Carolina 37.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in South Carolina?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in South Carolina is $58,980 per year (median $51,530), which is 1.9% below the national average of $60,150.
How does South Carolina rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
South Carolina ranks 22nd 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 South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in South Carolina earn about $37,000 per year and the 25th percentile is $40,140.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in South Carolina?
About $28.36 per hour, based on the $58,980 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 620 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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