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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in North Carolina
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in North Carolina?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$52,890
Median Annual Salary
▼
-4.2% vs 2024
$61,350
Mean Salary
$52,890
Median Salary
$25.43
Hourly Rate
1,710 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by percentile in North Carolina
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina earn a median salary of $52,890 per year ($4,407/month).
This is 1.9% above the national average of $51,911.
North Carolina ranks #19 out of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay.
Approximately 1,710 people work in this occupation across North Carolina.
Salaries decreased by 4.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Private Detectives and Investigators
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
4.12
Speaking
4.0
Reading Comprehension
3.88
Critical Thinking
3.88
Complex Problem Solving
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
4.21
Customer and Personal Service
4.16
Law and Government
4.02
Computers and Electronics
3.56
Administrative
3.55
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(37.7% of workers)
Salary Range: Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina range from $36,600 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $98,560 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $41,000 and $74,900.
Median $52,890
P10: $36,600P25: $41,000P75: $74,900P90: $98,560
10th
$36,600
25th
$41,000
Median
$52,890
75th
$74,900
90th
$98,560
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$36,600
$17.60
$3,050
25th Percentile
$41,000
$19.71
$3,416
Median (50th)
$52,890
$25.43
$4,407
75th Percentile
$74,900
$36.01
$6,241
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$98,560
$47.38
$8,213
Note: The mean (average) salary of $61,350 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#19
North Carolina ranks #19 of 49 states
$51,911
National avg. for Private Detectives and Investigators
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in North Carolina?
The median annual salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina is $52,890 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $61,350.
What is the salary range for a Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina?
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina range from $36,600 at the 10th percentile to $98,560 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $41,000 and $74,900.
What is the starting salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina?
Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators positions in North Carolina typically start around $36,600 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $41,000 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,710 people are employed as Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina.
What is the hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in North Carolina is approximately $25.43 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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