Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Western North Carolina

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $54,770 -41.5% vs national
Median hourly $26.33
10th percentile $47,510
90th percentile $61,560
Employed locally 230
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Western North Carolina stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Western North Carolina
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,510
    25th
    $50,190
    50th (median)
    $54,770
    75th
    $61,260
    90th
    $61,560

    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

    Related occupations in Western North Carolina

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $47,970
    Security Guards $36,810
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $47,520
    Firefighters $32,380
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $66,090
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $24,890

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Western North Carolina?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Western North Carolina is $26.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.22 or more per hour.

    Is Western North Carolina above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Western North Carolina is 41.5% 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 Western North Carolina?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $47,510 per year in Western North Carolina. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,190.