Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $30.43 an hour ($63,280 a year). About 3,360 people work in this job there.
That is 33% lower than the U.S. median ($93,790). North Carolina ranks 47th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in North Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $24.17 | $50,260 |
| 25% of workers | $27.43 | $57,040 |
| Half of workers (median) | $30.43 | $63,280 |
| 75% of workers | $38.62 | $80,330 |
| 90% of workers | $66.13 | $137,550 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $92,410 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $77,210 | 630 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $71,460 | 600 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $68,790 | 160 |
| Rocky Mount | $67,970 | 30 |
| Fayetteville | $64,590 | 170 |
| Burlington | $63,780 | 50 |
| Wilmington | $62,580 | 210 |
| Asheville | $62,460 | 140 |
| Winston-Salem | $62,260 | 140 |
| Greenville | $61,220 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $61,210 | 240 |
| Goldsboro | $59,390 | 40 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $57,220 | 100 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for detectives and criminal investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.2% over ten years, little or no change · about 7,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,300 |
| Compliance Officers | $78,500 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,900 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $62,220 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,890 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,270 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $59,240 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.