Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
The median pay for a private detectives and investigators in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is $74,720/year ($35.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.35), that's roughly $76,754 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,686/month — about 33.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $75K get you in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia?
About private detectives and investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Entry-level private detectives and investigators (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K.Top earners bring in $100K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Private Detectives and Investigators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $77K | +48% | 480 |
| Maryland | $74K | +42% | 560 |
| Illinois | $73K | +40% | 1,770 |
| Minnesota | $72K | +38% | 940 |
| Connecticut | $68K | +30% | 400 |
| Wyoming | $67K | +29% | 40 |
| Vermont | $66K | +26% | N/A |
| Washington | $65K | +25% | 840 |
| Arizona | $65K | +24% | 980 |
| California | $60K | +15% | 5,260 |
| New York | $60K | +14% | 1,850 |
| Massachusetts | $58K | +10% | 480 |
| North Carolina | $55K | +5% | 1,370 |
| Alaska | $54K | +3% | 80 |
| South Carolina | $54K | +3% | 650 |
Track private detectives and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do private detectives and investigators make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median is $74,720 a year - that works out to about $35.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,020, and experienced private detectives and investigators can clear $100,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,799/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,686/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a private detectives and investigators salary go in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia?
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia has a Regional Price Parity of 97.35 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median private detectives and investigators salary is worth about $76,754 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do private detectives and investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.