Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Waco, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waco, TX

Median annual salary $75,270 -19.6% vs national
Median hourly $36.19
10th percentile $48,480
90th percentile $150,800
Employed locally 100
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Waco, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,480
    25th
    $55,010
    50th (median)
    $75,270
    75th
    $84,990
    90th
    $150,800

    Waco economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,880 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 118% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 18% 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 Waco, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $76,740
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $48,430
    Security Guards $30,350
    Firefighters $63,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $77,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers $59,590

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Waco, TX is $36.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.88 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Waco, TX is 19.6% 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 Waco?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $48,480 per year in Waco, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $55,010.