Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $30.17 an hour ($62,760 a year). About 1,470 people work in this job there.
That is 33% lower than the U.S. median ($93,790). South Carolina ranks 48th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in South Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $24.50 | $50,960 |
| 25% of workers | $26.68 | $55,490 |
| Half of workers (median) | $30.17 | $62,760 |
| 75% of workers | $37.12 | $77,200 |
| 90% of workers | $71.77 | $149,280 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | $78,410 | 190 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $72,060 | 90 |
| Columbia | $66,340 | 580 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $62,700 | 170 |
| Spartanburg | $61,920 | 40 |
| Sumter | $56,500 | 40 |
| Florence | $55,320 | 80 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (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 South Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,070 |
| Compliance Officers | $75,460 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,700 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,400 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,530 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,890 |
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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.