Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Dallas, TX

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

Median annual salary $54,080 +3.3% vs national
Median hourly $26.00
10th percentile $36,410
90th percentile $109,940
Employed locally 1,180
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Dallas, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,410
    25th
    $38,070
    50th (median)
    $54,080
    75th
    $80,040
    90th
    $109,940

    Dallas economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $87,155 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 62% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 38% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $51,820
    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 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 Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Dallas?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Dallas, TX is $26.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.84 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Dallas, TX is 3.3% above 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 Dallas?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,410 per year in Dallas, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,070.