Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Austin, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

Median annual salary $77,470 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $37.24
10th percentile $47,040
90th percentile $116,150
Employed locally 1,680
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Austin, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Austin, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,040
    25th
    $55,560
    50th (median)
    $77,470
    75th
    $100,390
    90th
    $116,150

    Austin economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $97,638 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 79% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 21% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    El Paso, TX $107,240
    Brownsville-Harlingen, TX $107,240
    McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX $104,330
    Laredo, TX $96,320
    San Angelo, TX $95,640
    Eagle Pass, TX $89,860

    Related occupations in Austin, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,630
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $83,820
    Firefighters $59,530
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $43,770
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $58,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $97,380

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Austin?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Austin, TX is $37.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.19 or more per hour.

    Is Austin above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Austin, TX is 17.2% below the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Austin?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $47,040 per year in Austin, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $55,560.