SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Charlotte
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC · 8 metro areas compared
In Charlotte, NC the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators reaches $73,430 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Charlotte, NC the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators reaches $73,430 a year. That is 43.4% more than the national median of $51,220. Pay ranges from under $39,370 at the tenth percentile to more than $99,090 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $52,900 to $98,400.
The area has 860 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.78 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Asheville records the highest median at $53,900. Of the 660 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 214th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,370 | −23.1% |
| 25th | $52,900 | +3.3% |
| Median (50th) | $73,430 | +43.4% |
| 75th | $98,400 | +92.1% |
| 90th | $99,090 | +93.5% |
| Mean | $74,090 | +44.7% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $53,900 | 50 | |
| 2 | Durham | $53,610 | 40 | |
| 3 | Greenville | $51,010 | 50 | |
| 4 | Raleigh | $45,390 | 180 | |
| 5 | Hickory | $44,820 | 30 | |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $42,660 | 80 | |
| 7 | Greensboro | $41,630 | 70 | |
| 8 | Fayetteville | $38,500 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Charlotte run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $73,430 goes as far as $77,869 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 52.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$73,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$77,869US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $73,430 a year, 43.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,370 to $99,090 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 860 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Asheville, at $53,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Charlotte, NC?
The median annual wage is $73,430, or $35.30 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 $51,220, so pay in Charlotte, NC is 43.4% higher. 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 Charlotte, NC earns more than $99,090 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,370 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 Asheville, at $53,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 860 jobs in this occupation in Charlotte, 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.
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