Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, GA-AL

Median annual salary $38,010 -27.4% vs national
Median hourly $18.28
10th percentile $36,820
90th percentile $58,250
Employed locally 30
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Columbus, GA-AL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,820
    25th
    $37,120
    50th (median)
    $38,010
    75th
    $45,510
    90th
    $58,250

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $57,762 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 66% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 34% 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
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $74,720
    Michigan $49,700
    Gainesville, FL $48,870
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $47,860
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $47,550
    Savannah, GA $46,500

    Related occupations in Columbus, GA-AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$36,730
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$50,490
    Firefighters$49,260
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$63,140
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators$50,580
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$69,040

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Columbus, GA-AL is $18.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.00 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Columbus, GA-AL is 27.4% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,820 per year in Columbus, GA-AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,120.