How much does a private detective and investigator make in Columbia?
$48,000a year
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $23.08 an hour or $4,000 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.08
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 71 of 143
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,240Median: $48,000Highest 10%: $80,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,240 | $17.42 | |
| 25th | $38,660 | $18.59 | |
| Median | $48,000 | $23.08 | |
| 75th | $59,620 | $28.66 | |
| 90th | $80,920 | $38.90 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.
| Charlotte, NC | $73,430 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $49,740 |
| Augusta, GA | $41,330 |
| Charleston, SC | $39,060 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Columbia, SCFrequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $23.08 ($48,000 a year).
Do private detective and investigators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $48,000 against $51,220 nationally, 6% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $51,530, so Columbia pays 7% less.
Where does Columbia rank for private detective and investigator pay?
71 of 143 metro areas with data.
How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $80,920 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.