Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Austin, TX

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

Median annual salary $51,820 -1.1% vs national
Median hourly $24.91
10th percentile $37,310
90th percentile $100,090
Employed locally 280
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Austin, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,310
    25th
    $37,760
    50th (median)
    $51,820
    75th
    $71,500
    90th
    $100,090

    Austin economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $97,638 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 53% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Tyler, TX $60,450
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $54,080
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $51,080
    Corpus Christi, TX $48,120
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $43,310
    El Paso, TX $42,100

    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
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $77,470

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Austin, TX is $24.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.12 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Austin, TX is 1.1% below the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $37,310 per year in Austin, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,760.