Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Asheville, NC

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

Median annual salary $53,900 +2.9% vs national
Median hourly $25.91
10th percentile $38,180
90th percentile $61,000
Employed locally 50
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Asheville, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,180
    25th
    $41,090
    50th (median)
    $53,900
    75th
    $53,900
    90th
    $61,000

    Asheville economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,236 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 78% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 22% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,400
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $74,720
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $65,260
    Anchorage, AK $58,880
    Greenville, NC $57,590

    Related occupations in Asheville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Firefighters$37,050
    Security Guards$38,850
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$54,270
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$50,290
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$62,490
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators$61,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Asheville?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Asheville, NC is $25.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.33 or more per hour.

    Is Asheville above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Asheville, NC is 2.9% above the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Asheville?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $38,180 per year in Asheville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,090.