Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Wilmington, NC

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

Median annual salary $37,680 -28.1% vs national
Median hourly $18.12
10th percentile $27,930
90th percentile $69,540
Employed locally 70
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Wilmington, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,930
    25th
    $35,340
    50th (median)
    $37,680
    75th
    $58,350
    90th
    $69,540

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 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 Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$53,600
    Security Guards$38,480
    Firefighters$37,400
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$48,240
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$64,550
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators$62,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Wilmington, NC is $18.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.43 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Wilmington, NC is 28.1% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $27,930 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,340.