Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $41,040 -21.6% vs national
Median hourly $19.73
10th percentile $36,530
90th percentile $65,010
Employed locally 40
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,530
    25th
    $37,170
    50th (median)
    $41,040
    75th
    $54,150
    90th
    $65,010

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 51% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 49% 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 Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $39,070
    Firefighters $37,860
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $59,840
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $35,770
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $96,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Durham, NC is $19.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.88 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Durham, NC is 21.6% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,530 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,170.