Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $46,580 -11.1% vs national
Median hourly $22.39
10th percentile $36,670
90th percentile $100,240
Employed locally 90
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,670
    25th
    $39,190
    50th (median)
    $46,580
    75th
    $77,270
    90th
    $100,240

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 70% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 30% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,400
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $74,720
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $50,530
    Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC $50,530
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,600
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $48,430

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,830
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,750
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $45,330
    Firefighters $45,960
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $66,440
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $26,550

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Columbia, SC is $22.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Columbia, SC is 11.1% below 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,670 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,190.