Private Detectives and Investigators pay in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $24.78 an hour ($51,530 a year). About 620 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($51,220). South Carolina ranks 22nd of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in South Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.79 | $37,000 |
| 25% of workers | $19.30 | $40,140 |
| Half of workers (median) | $24.78 | $51,530 |
| 75% of workers | $35.30 | $73,430 |
| 90% of workers | $45.07 | $93,740 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $49,740 | 60 |
| Columbia | $48,000 | 100 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $39,060 | 50 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for private detectives and investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 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: +5.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 3,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,070 |
| Lawyers | $120,310 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $53,880 |
| Compliance Officers | $75,460 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $38,670 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,700 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,760 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $76,400 |
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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.