Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $62,210 -33.5% vs national
Median hourly $29.91
10th percentile $55,840
90th percentile $150,800
Employed locally 200
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Wilmington, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,840
    25th
    $61,740
    50th (median)
    $62,210
    75th
    $73,860
    90th
    $150,800

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 84% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 16% 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 Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$53,600
    Security Guards$38,480
    Firefighters$37,400
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$48,240
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$64,550
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$24,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wilmington, NC is $29.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.88 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Wilmington, NC is 33.5% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $55,840 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,740.