Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $65,240 -30.3% vs national
Median hourly $31.37
10th percentile $61,440
90th percentile $81,280
Employed locally 180
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,440
    25th
    $62,520
    50th (median)
    $65,240
    75th
    $81,280
    90th
    $81,280

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 81% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 19% 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 Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $39,070
    Firefighters $37,860
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $59,840
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $35,770
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $96,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Durham, NC is $31.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.62 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Durham, NC is 30.3% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $61,440 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,520.