Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Texas
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$52,510
- 25th Percentile — Junior$64,660
- 50th Percentile — Median$90,510
- 75th Percentile — Senior$109,300
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$132,850
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Texas earn more than $90,510. The top 10% make $132,850 or more, while entry-level workers start around $52,510.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Texas: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Texas ranks 28th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $92,030 per year (7.4% below the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 18,870 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Texas — 16.5% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.82: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Texas than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,510; the top 10% earn over $132,850.
- Hourly equivalent: $44.25 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Texas, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($111,000).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Texas
Key factors affecting compensation
Texas's key industries are Energy, Technology, Healthcare, and its job market is rated strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $92,030 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Texas salary of $92,030 is roughly equivalent to $96,874 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($97,480), Montana ($93,800), Florida ($93,020) are the closest alternatives for Detectives and Criminal Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Texas
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $111,000/yr Texas +20.6% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $85,340/yr Texas 7.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $76,160/yr Texas 17.2% vs this role
- Firefighters $60,390/yr Texas 34.4% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $58,670/yr Texas 36.2% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $53,330/yr Texas 42.1% vs this role
- Security Guards $38,550/yr Texas 58.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Texas?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Texas is $92,030 per year (median $90,510), which is 7.4% below the national average of $99,430.
How does Texas rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Texas ranks 28th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,110/yr).
How much do entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Texas?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Texas earn about $52,510 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,660.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Texas?
About $44.25 per hour, based on the $92,030 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Texas?
BLS counts 18,870 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Texas (OEWS May 2025).
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