Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Texas
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Texas earn a median annual wage of $90,510 —3.5% below the national median of $93,790. That ranks TX #25 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.82× as concentrated as the national average, making Texas a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Texas is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $160,760 | $77.29 | 2,980 | 5.78 |
| 2 | Maryland | $126,730 | $60.93 | 1,010 | 0.50 |
| 3 | California | $124,840 | $60.02 | 12,610 | 0.94 |
| 4 | Delaware | $122,050 | $58.68 | 140 | 0.40 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $116,300 | $55.92 | 3,080 | 0.98 |
| 6 | Washington | $115,790 | $55.67 | 1,850 | 0.71 |
| 7 | Alaska | $114,940 | $55.26 | 140 | 0.58 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $113,940 | $54.78 | 440 | 0.95 |
| 9 | Virginia | $112,760 | $54.21 | 3,180 | 1.05 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $110,150 | $52.96 | 1,300 | 0.49 |
Related occupations in Texas
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Texas.
| Occupation | Texas median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $35,980 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,900 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,670 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $60,180 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,450 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $111,000 | $106,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Texas?
The median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators in Texas is $90,510, or $43.51 per hour. That is 3.5% below the national median of $93,790.
What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in Texas?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $52,510 per year ($25.24/hour). The 25th percentile is $64,660.
How many people work as detectives and criminal investigators in Texas?
About 18,870 people work in this occupation in Texas, or 1.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Texas a good state for detectives and criminal investigators?
Texas ranks #25 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.82x as concentrated as the national average, making Texas a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays detectives and criminal investigators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $160,760 per year, followed by Maryland ($126,730) and California ($124,840).