Private Detectives and Investigators salary in El Paso, TX
Private Detectives and Investigators in the El Paso, TX metro area earn a median of $38,070 a year ($18.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,660 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 27% lower than the Texas statewide median of $51,810. There are 0.21 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in El Paso, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| 25th percentile | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Median | $38,070 | $18.30 |
| 75th percentile | $52,820 | $25.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Average (mean) | $44,450 | $21.37 |
Half of private detectives and 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 | $3,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,586.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,464.23 |
| Weekly | $732.12 |
| Hourly | $18.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $61,460 | 1,070 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $60,090 | 40 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $57,620 | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $56,760 | 260 |
| Tyler, TX | $46,390 | 30 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $46,110 | 710 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $37,090 | 50 |
| Lubbock, TX | $36,640 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in El Paso, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,180 | $15.95 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $27,260 | $13.11 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Animal Control Worker | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Firefighter | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $115,820 | $55.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,590 | $30.09 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in El Paso, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. 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 private detectives and investigators make in El Paso, TX?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the El Paso, TX metro area is $38,070 a year, or $18.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in El Paso, TX?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the El Paso, TX metro area earn at least $57,660 a year. The top 25% earn $52,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in El Paso, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,950 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,580 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in El Paso, TX?
About 70 private detectives and investigators are employed in the El Paso, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.