Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $77,440 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $37.23
10th percentile $52,070
90th percentile $168,040
Employed locally 180
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,070
    25th
    $59,690
    50th (median)
    $77,440
    75th
    $146,490
    90th
    $168,040

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 94% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 6% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,300
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $106,110
    Wisconsin $92,910
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $81,480
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $79,970
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $79,540

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,150
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,250
    Firefighters $46,470
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,900
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $82,620

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Charleston, SC is $37.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.33 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Charleston, SC is 17.2% below the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Charleston?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $52,070 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,690.