Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Texas
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Texas earn a median of $90,510 a year ($43.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,850 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $93,790. Texas ranks 25th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 1.3 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,510 | $25.24 |
| 25th percentile | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| Median | $90,510 | $43.51 |
| 75th percentile | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,850 | $63.87 |
| Average (mean) | $92,030 | $44.24 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,542.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,771.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,481.15 |
| Weekly | $1,740.58 |
| Hourly | $43.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $109,300 | 880 |
| El Paso, TX | $109,300 | 1,790 |
| San Angelo, TX | $106,580 | 80 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $103,380 | 1,600 |
| Laredo, TX | $98,180 | 1,410 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $91,560 | 590 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $89,970 | 180 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $86,390 | 1,870 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $86,110 | 1,830 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $83,830 | 1,670 |
| Tyler, TX | $79,710 | 120 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $78,970 | 1,710 |
| Midland, TX | $78,920 | 60 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $76,320 | 40 |
| Amarillo, TX | $74,980 | 90 |
| Lubbock, TX | $72,820 | 280 |
| Waco, TX | $70,990 | 120 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $70,760 | 110 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $70,740 | 30 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $70,590 | 130 |
| Longview, TX | $63,950 | 60 |
| Abilene, TX | $59,980 | 60 |
| Victoria, TX | $58,030 | 50 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $55,950 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,900 | $36.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| Bailiff | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $85,980 | $41.34 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $38,720 | $18.61 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Security Guard | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Firefighter | $60,180 | $28.94 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $81,710 | $39.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $111,000 | $53.36 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $33,500 | $16.11 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $68,640 | $33.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Texas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Texas?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Texas is $90,510 a year, or $43.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Texas?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Texas earn at least $132,850 a year. The top 25% earn $109,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,510 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $64,660 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Texas?
About 18,870 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.