Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $69,620 -25.6% vs national
Median hourly $33.47
10th percentile $60,890
90th percentile $139,360
Employed locally 660
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Raleigh, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,890
    25th
    $60,890
    50th (median)
    $69,620
    75th
    $87,590
    90th
    $139,360

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 72% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 28% 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 Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,630
    Firefighters $46,050
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $65,800
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,490
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $27,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $86,390

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Raleigh, NC is $33.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Raleigh, NC is 25.6% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $60,890 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,890.