Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $43,310 -17.3% vs national
Median hourly $20.82
10th percentile $35,880
90th percentile $93,090
Employed locally 700
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,880
    25th
    $36,590
    50th (median)
    $43,310
    75th
    $68,620
    90th
    $93,090

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 54% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 46% 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
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $51,820
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $51,080
    Corpus Christi, TX $48,120
    El Paso, TX $42,100

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $32,480
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $75,450
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,020
    Firefighters $59,820
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $28,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $82,680

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Houston, TX is $20.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.32 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Houston, TX is 17.3% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $35,880 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,590.