Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Texas
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,650
- 25th Percentile — Junior$36,810
- 50th Percentile — Median$51,810
- 75th Percentile — Senior$72,660
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$99,930
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Texas earn more than $51,810. The top 10% make $99,930 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,650.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Texas: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Texas ranks 25th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $58,670 per year (2.5% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 3,220 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Texas — 9.1% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.00: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Texas than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,650; the top 10% earn over $99,930.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.21 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Texas, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($111,000).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Texas
Key factors affecting compensation
Texas's key industries are Energy, Technology, Healthcare, and its job market is rated strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $58,670 on average, placing the state 25th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Texas salary of $58,670 is roughly equivalent to $61,758 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Delaware ($59,230), South Carolina ($58,980), Colorado ($58,910) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and 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 +89.2% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $92,030/yr Texas +56.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $85,340/yr Texas +45.5% vs this role
- Police Officers $76,160/yr Texas +29.8% vs this role
- Firefighters $60,390/yr Texas +2.9% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $53,330/yr Texas 9.1% vs this role
- Security Guards $38,550/yr Texas 34.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Texas?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Texas is $58,670 per year (median $51,810), which is 2.5% below the national average of $60,150.
How does Texas rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Texas ranks 25th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in Texas?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Texas earn about $35,650 per year and the 25th percentile is $36,810.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Texas?
About $28.21 per hour, based on the $58,670 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Texas?
BLS counts 3,220 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Texas (OEWS May 2025).
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