North Carolina Median
$52,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#19 of 49
1,710 employed here
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in North Carolina?
Private Detectives and Investigators working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $52,890 per year, or about $25.43 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $51,220 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $36,600 while the top 10% make $98,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,000 and $74,900 a year.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,000 | $19.71 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,890 | $25.43 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,900 | $36.01 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,560 | $47.38 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 19th out of 49 states and territories for Private Detectives and Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other states
Oregon $76,480Connecticut $75,010District of Columbia $72,720Vermont $67,910New Hampshire $65,370Washington $64,080California $61,250Arizona $61,030Illinois $60,210New York $59,140Utah $57,910Minnesota $57,880Virginia $56,160Delaware $55,710New Jersey $54,710Rhode Island $54,620Wyoming $54,310Alaska $53,440Texas $51,810Nebraska $51,750South Carolina $51,530Pennsylvania $51,200Florida $50,640Massachusetts $50,240Tennessee $49,360Colorado $48,730Michigan $48,650Idaho $47,910Arkansas $47,750Kentucky $47,650Montana $47,430Ohio $47,200Alabama $46,810West Virginia $46,410Hawaii $45,750Kansas $45,260Georgia $45,060South Dakota $44,840North Dakota $44,310Maine $43,830Louisiana $41,950Wisconsin $41,850Indiana $41,830Missouri $41,600New Mexico $41,600Iowa $41,110Oklahoma $39,680Mississippi $39,060
Working as Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($52,890) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in North Carolina?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in North Carolina is $52,890 per year, or about $25.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,600 at the entry level to $98,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 3% more than the national median of $51,220. North Carolina ranks 19th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $52,890 a year. About 1,710 Private Detectives and Investigators are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Private Detectives and Investigators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.