Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$78,280
- 25th Percentile — Junior$99,270
- 50th Percentile — Median$124,840
- 75th Percentile — Senior$136,020
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$165,510
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn more than $124,840. The top 10% make $165,510 or more, while entry-level workers start around $78,280.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $121,530 per year (22.2% above the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 12,610 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California — 11.0% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.94: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,280; the top 10% earn over $165,510.
- Hourly equivalent: $58.43 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in California, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($163,210).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $121,530 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $121,530 is roughly equivalent to $85,585 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($148,110), Maryland ($130,040), Alaska ($125,160) are the closest alternatives for Detectives and Criminal Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $163,210/yr California +34.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $151,620/yr California +24.8% vs this role
- Police Officers $112,980/yr California 7.0% vs this role
- Firefighters $95,090/yr California 21.8% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $92,410/yr California 24.0% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $67,040/yr California 44.8% vs this role
- Security Guards $44,920/yr California 63.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in California?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in California is $121,530 per year (median $124,840), which is 22.2% above the national average of $99,430.
How does California rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
California ranks 5th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,110/yr).
How much do entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn about $78,280 per year and the 25th percentile is $99,270.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in California?
About $58.43 per hour, based on the $121,530 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in California?
BLS counts 12,610 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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