Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $69,530 -25.7% vs national
Median hourly $33.43
10th percentile $52,700
90th percentile $158,350
Employed locally 530
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,700
    25th
    $59,490
    50th (median)
    $69,530
    75th
    $131,960
    90th
    $158,350

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 87% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 13% 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
    Anchorage, AK $124,400
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,530
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $107,290
    Lincoln, NE $99,090
    Lynchburg, VA $97,090

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,740
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,230
    Firefighters $37,530
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $27,360
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $53,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $62,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Charlotte, NC-SC is $33.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.69 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 25.7% 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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $52,700 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,490.