Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Corpus Christi, TX
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Corpus Christi, TX metro area earn a median of $60,090 a year ($28.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,300 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 16% higher than the Texas statewide median of $51,810. There are 0.22 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,070, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Corpus Christi, TX
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| 25th percentile | $36,890 | $17.74 |
| Median | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| 75th percentile | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,300 | $34.76 |
| Average (mean) | $53,070 | $25.51 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,007.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,503.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,311.15 |
| Weekly | $1,155.58 |
| Hourly | $28.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Texas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $61,460 | 1,070 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $57,620 | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $56,760 | 260 |
| Tyler, TX | $46,390 | 30 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $46,110 | 710 |
| El Paso, TX | $38,070 | 70 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $37,090 | 50 |
| Lubbock, TX | $36,640 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the Texas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Corpus Christi, TX
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $33,870 | $16.29 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,400 | $35.29 |
| Firefighter | $48,700 | $23.41 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $69,210 | $33.27 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $89,970 | $43.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $69,290 | $33.31 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Corpus Christi, TX
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Corpus Christi, TX?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Corpus Christi, TX metro area is $60,090 a year, or $28.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Corpus Christi, TX?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Corpus Christi, TX metro area earn at least $72,300 a year. The top 25% earn $61,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Corpus Christi, TX?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,690 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,890 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Corpus Christi, TX?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Corpus Christi, TX metro area, not counting the self-employed.