Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in San Antonio, TX

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

Median annual salary $51,080 -2.5% vs national
Median hourly $24.56
10th percentile $36,140
90th percentile $103,280
Employed locally 270
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
San Antonio, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,140
    25th
    $38,080
    50th (median)
    $51,080
    75th
    $66,360
    90th
    $103,280

    San Antonio economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,297 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 69% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 31% 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
    Corpus Christi, TX $48,120
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $43,310
    El Paso, TX $42,100

    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
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $82,910
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $27,310

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in San Antonio, TX is $24.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.93 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in San Antonio, TX is 2.5% 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 San Antonio?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,140 per year in San Antonio, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,080.