SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Columbus
Columbus, GA-AL · 3 metro areas compared
At $36,750, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Private Detectives and Investigators, 28.3% beneath the national figure of $51,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,750, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Private Detectives and Investigators, 28.3% beneath the national figure of $51,220. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $33,610 and $43,170. The lowest tenth earn under $30,850, while the highest tenth earn more than $64,480.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.89 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Savannah leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $45,960. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 250th of 331 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,850 | −39.8% |
| 25th | $33,610 | −34.4% |
| Median (50th) | $36,750 | −28.3% |
| 75th | $43,170 | −15.7% |
| 90th | $64,480 | +25.9% |
| Mean | $42,570 | −16.9% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $36,750 goes as far as $38,162 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,162US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,750 a year, 28.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,850 to $64,480 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Savannah, at $45,960.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Columbus, GA?
The median annual wage is $36,750, or $17.67 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 Columbus, GA is 28.3% 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 Columbus, GA earns more than $64,480 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,850 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 Savannah, at $45,960 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, GA. 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