How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Columbia?
$66,340a year
Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $31.89 an hour or $5,528 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.89
- Vs. national median
- -29%
- Rank among cities
- 227 of 288
- Jobs in the area
- 580
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,730Median: $66,340Highest 10%: $136,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,730 | $24.39 | |
| 25th | $55,480 | $26.67 | |
| Median | $66,340 | $31.89 | |
| 75th | $78,990 | $37.98 | |
| 90th | $136,100 | $65.44 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators.
| Charleston, SC | $78,410 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $72,060 |
| Charlotte, NC | $71,460 |
| Augusta, GA | $64,980 |
| Greenville, SC | $62,700 |
| Florence, SC | $55,320 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Columbia, SCFrequently asked questions
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $31.89 ($66,340 a year).
Do detective and criminal investigators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $66,340 against $93,790 nationally, 29% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $62,760, so Columbia pays 6% more.
Where does Columbia rank for detective and criminal investigator pay?
227 of 288 metro areas with data.
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,730 or less a year; the top 10% make $136,100 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.