SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — McAllen
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX · 10 metro areas compared
In McAllen, TX the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $103,380 a year, which is 10.2% higher than the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In McAllen, TX the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $103,380 a year, which is 10.2% higher than the national figure of $93,790. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $69,760 and $109,300. The lowest tenth earn under $49,730, while the highest tenth earn more than $115,210.
The area has 1,600 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 7.34 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Brownsville records the highest median at $109,300. Of the 404 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 25th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,730 | −47.0% |
| 25th | $69,760 | −25.6% |
| Median (50th) | $103,380 | +10.2% |
| 75th | $109,300 | +16.5% |
| 90th | $115,210 | +22.8% |
| Mean | $94,460 | +0.7% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brownsville | $109,300 | 880 | |
| 2 | El Paso | $109,300 | 1,790 | |
| 3 | San Angelo | $106,580 | 80 | |
| 4 | Laredo | $98,180 | 1,410 | |
| 5 | Eagle Pass | $91,560 | 590 | |
| 6 | Corpus Christi | $89,970 | 180 | |
| 7 | Houston | $86,390 | 1,870 | |
| 8 | Dallas | $86,110 | 1,830 | |
| 9 | San Antonio | $83,830 | 1,670 | |
| 10 | Tyler | $79,710 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in McAllen run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $103,380 goes as far as $106,468 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$103,380as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$106,468US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $103,380 a year, 10.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,730 to $115,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,600 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Brownsville, at $109,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in McAllen, TX?
The median annual wage is $103,380, or $49.70 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $93,790, so pay in McAllen, TX is 10.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in McAllen, TX earns more than $115,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,730 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Brownsville, at $109,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,600 jobs in this occupation in McAllen, TX. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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