Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $66,440 -29% vs national
Median hourly $31.94
10th percentile $51,470
90th percentile $146,490
Employed locally 500
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,470
    25th
    $58,790
    50th (median)
    $66,440
    75th
    $81,670
    90th
    $146,490

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 100% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 0% above 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 Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,830
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,750
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $45,330
    Firefighters $45,960
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $26,550
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $79,480

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Columbia, SC is $31.94, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.44 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Columbia, SC is 29% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $51,470 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,790.