SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — North Carolina
North Carolina · 10 metro areas compared
At $63,280, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 32.5% beneath the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $63,280, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 32.5% beneath the national figure of $93,790. Pay ranges from under $50,260 at the tenth percentile to more than $137,550 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $57,040 to $80,330.
The area has 3,360 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.92 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. North Carolina ranks number 47th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Jacksonville records the highest median at $92,410. Of the 745 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 278th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,260 | −46.4% |
| 25th | $57,040 | −39.2% |
| Median (50th) | $63,280 | −32.5% |
| 75th | $80,330 | −14.4% |
| 90th | $137,550 | +46.7% |
| Mean | $76,020 | −18.9% |
Highest-paying 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 North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $63,280 goes as far as $67,105 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,280as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,105US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,280 a year, 32.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,260 to $137,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,360 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 51 states for 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 North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $63,280, or $30.43 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 North Carolina is 32.5% 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 North Carolina earns more than $137,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,260 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 3,360 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. 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.
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