Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Dallas, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Median annual salary $84,980 -9.2% vs national
Median hourly $40.86
10th percentile $49,020
90th percentile $173,180
Employed locally 1,850
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Dallas, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,020
    25th
    $61,020
    50th (median)
    $84,980
    75th
    $140,420
    90th
    $173,180

    Dallas economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $87,155 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 98% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 2% 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 Dallas, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $34,130
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $91,470
    Firefighters $65,440
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $58,290
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $30,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $95,610

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Dallas, TX is $40.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $84.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Dallas, TX is 9.2% 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 Dallas?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $49,020 per year in Dallas, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,020.