Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $74,720 +42.7% vs national
Median hourly $35.92
10th percentile $42,020
90th percentile $100,020
Employed locally 740
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,020
    25th
    $56,320
    50th (median)
    $74,720
    75th
    $99,380
    90th
    $100,020

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 93% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 7% 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
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $65,260
    Anchorage, AK $58,880
    Greenville, NC $57,590
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $56,660

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$36,740
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$65,230
    Firefighters$37,530
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27,360
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$53,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$62,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Charlotte, NC-SC is $35.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.64 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 42.7% 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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $42,020 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,320.