SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Eastern North Carolina
Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Eastern North Carolina, NC is $59,470 a year, 36.6% under the national median of $93,790 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Eastern North Carolina, NC is $59,470 a year, 36.6% under the national median of $93,790 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $56,370 and $71,180. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $48,650 and the ninetieth at $92,610.
The area has 200 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Jacksonville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $92,410. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 175th of 476 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,650 | −48.1% |
| 25th | $56,370 | −39.9% |
| Median (50th) | $59,470 | −36.6% |
| 75th | $71,180 | −24.1% |
| 90th | $92,610 | −1.3% |
| Mean | $65,920 | −29.7% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville | $92,410 | 100 | |
| 2 | Raleigh | $77,210 | 630 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $71,460 | 600 | |
| 4 | Durham | $68,790 | 160 | |
| 5 | Rocky Mount | $67,970 | 30 | |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $64,590 | 170 | |
| 7 | Burlington | $63,780 | 50 | |
| 8 | Wilmington | $62,580 | 210 | |
| 9 | Asheville | $62,460 | 140 | |
| 10 | Winston-Salem | $62,260 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $59,470 goes as far as $63,065 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 32.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,065US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,470 a year, 36.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,650 to $92,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Jacksonville, at $92,410.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Eastern North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $59,470, or $28.59 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $93,790, so pay in Eastern North Carolina, NC is 36.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Eastern North Carolina, NC earns more than $92,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,650 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Jacksonville, at $92,410 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 jobs in this occupation in Eastern North Carolina, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data