Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay range in Columbus
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,810 a year or less, while the top 10% make $157,870 or more. The middle half of detectives and criminal investigators in Columbus earn between $50,080 and $97,720.
- $35K10th
- $50K25th
- $50KMedian
- $98K75th
- $158K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $76,080 | $6,340 | $36.58 |
| Median | $50,080 | $4,173 | $24.08 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $50,080 | $4,173 | $24.08 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $97,720 | $8,143 | $46.98 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Columbus vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Detectives and criminal investigators in Columbus earn about the same as the Georgia average ($78,140) and 23% less than the U.S. average ($99,430). At the median the gap is -47% against the U.S. median of $93,790.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $76,080 | $50,080 | $34,810 | $157,870 | 170 |
| Georgia | $78,140 | $65,430 | $46,790 | $149,030 | 5,070 |
| United States | $99,430 | $93,790 | $55,390 | $160,540 | 114,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary after taxes in Columbus
On the average salary of $76,080, a single filer in Columbus takes home about $59,304 a year, or $4,942 a month and $2,281 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Columbus, GA-AL metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in GA | $59,304 | $4,942 |
| Working in AL | $59,184 | $4,932 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbus a good place for detectives and criminal investigators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbus area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.3), so the average $76,080 buys what about $85,200 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbus ($43,540). A typical home costs $209,527, or 2.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other Georgia cities
Columbus ranks 5th of 12 Georgia metro areas for this job; Brunswick pays the most ($148,490).
- Brunswick$148,490
- Savannah$86,440
- Atlanta$78,150
- Hinesville$77,400
- Columbus$76,080
- Augusta$74,750
- Macon$73,850
- Warner Robins$72,140
- Albany$71,230
- Gainesville$67,910
All Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries in Georgia
Highest-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators
Brunswick, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,490).
- Brunswick, GA$148,490
- Washington, DC$146,910
- San Jose, CA$144,580
- Oxnard, CA$138,040
- San Francisco, CA$135,460
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Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Columbus: questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make an hour in Columbus?
$36.58 an hour on average, and $24.08 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,810 a year and the 25th percentile is $50,080, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the detectives and criminal investigators take-home pay in Columbus?
About $59,304 a year ($4,942 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $76,080.
Do detectives and criminal investigators earn more in Columbus than elsewhere?
The average here is 23% less than the U.S. average for this job ($99,430).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-3021; area Columbus, GA-AL (17980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.99, this job is 2.0 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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