Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Texas
In Texas, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $24.91 an hour ($51,810 a year). About 3,220 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($51,220). Texas ranks 20th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Texas
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.14 | $35,650 |
| 25% of workers | $17.70 | $36,810 |
| Half of workers (median) | $24.91 | $51,810 |
| 75% of workers | $34.93 | $72,660 |
| 90% of workers | $48.05 | $99,930 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Texas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $61,460 | 1,070 |
| Corpus Christi | $60,090 | 40 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | $57,620 | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $56,760 | 260 |
| Tyler | $46,390 | 30 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $46,110 | 710 |
| El Paso | $38,070 | 70 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $37,090 | 50 |
| Lubbock | $36,640 | 30 |
Texas unemployment rate: 4.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for private detectives and investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 3,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Texas
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,900 |
| Lawyers | $154,200 |
| Compliance Officers | $75,370 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,310 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $90,510 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $71,650 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $46,860 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $111,000 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.