📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in Texas (2026)

Texas · 5.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$84,816
per year
Median
$79,116
per year
Hourly
$40.78
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,846
25th Percentile — Junior$70,566
50th Percentile — Median$79,116
75th Percentile — Senior$108,186
90th Percentile — Top Earners$122,605
💡 Top-earning Detective and Criminal Investigators in Texas make up to $122,605 per year. The job market in Texas is rated strong, with key industries including Energy, Technology, Healthcare.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$75.0k
2021
$76.8k
2022
$78.8k
2023
$80.7k
2024
$82.7k
2025
$84.8k
2026
📈 Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries in Texas have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in Texas's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary by City in Texas
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Houston $82,272 -3.0% Medium
San Antonio $76,334 -10.0% Medium
Dallas $83,968 -1.0% Medium
Austin $91,601 +8.0% Medium
Fort Worth $81,423 -4.0% Medium
El Paso $69,549 -18.0% Medium
Arlington $82,272 -3.0% Medium
Corpus Christi $73,790 -13.0% Medium
Plano $86,512 +2.0% Medium
Laredo $67,853 -20.0% Medium
Lubbock $69,549 -18.0% Medium
Garland $80,575 -5.0% Medium
🔍
Detective and Criminal Investigator Job Market in Texas
Key factors affecting compensation

Texas is home to a strong job market for Detective and Criminal Investigators. The state's key industries — Energy, Technology, Healthcare — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $84,816 per year, Texas's Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 5.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Texas (index: 0.95) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Texas can expect to earn $53,846–$70,566, while experienced Detective and Criminal Investigators can command $108,186–$122,605.

Looking ahead, the Detective and Criminal Investigator profession in Texas is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Energy continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in Texas is $84,816 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% below the national average of $89,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Detective and Criminal Investigators the highest wages in Texas due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Texas has a strong job market with major industries in Energy, Technology, Healthcare. This makes it one of the better states for Detective and Criminal Investigator employment.
  • At $84,816/year, Texas Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 5.0% lower than the national average of $89,280/year.