Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in San Antonio, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Median annual salary $82,910 -11.4% vs national
Median hourly $39.86
10th percentile $49,420
90th percentile $148,570
Employed locally 1,600
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
San Antonio, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,420
    25th
    $69,470
    50th (median)
    $82,910
    75th
    $82,910
    90th
    $148,570

    San Antonio economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,297 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 112% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 12% above 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 San Antonio, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$32,970
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$71,490
    Firefighters$62,660
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$51,020
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27,310
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$32,850

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in San Antonio, TX is $39.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $66.40 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in San Antonio, TX is 11.4% 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 San Antonio?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $49,420 per year in San Antonio, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $69,470.