How much does a private detective and investigator make in Charleston?
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $18.78 an hour or $3,255 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.78
- Vs. national median
- -24%
- Rank among cities
- 130 of 143
- Jobs in the area
- 50
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,290 | $17.45 | |
| 25th | $38,620 | $18.57 | |
| Median | $39,060 | $18.78 | |
| 75th | $51,530 | $24.77 | |
| 90th | $63,920 | $30.73 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.
| Charlotte, NC | $73,430 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $49,740 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,000 |
| Augusta, GA | $41,330 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Charleston, SCFrequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $18.78 ($39,060 a year).
Do private detective and investigators make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $39,060 against $51,220 nationally, 24% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $51,530, so Charleston pays 24% less.
Where does Charleston rank for private detective and investigator pay?
130 of 143 metro areas with data.
How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $63,920 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.