Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in California
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median annual wage of $124,840 —33.1% above the national median of $93,790. That ranks CA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.94×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $160,760 | $77.29 | 2,980 | 5.78 |
| 2 | Maryland | $126,730 | $60.93 | 1,010 | 0.50 |
| 3 | California | $124,840 | $60.02 | 12,610 | 0.94 |
| 4 | Delaware | $122,050 | $58.68 | 140 | 0.40 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $116,300 | $55.92 | 3,080 | 0.98 |
| 6 | Washington | $115,790 | $55.67 | 1,850 | 0.71 |
| 7 | Alaska | $114,940 | $55.26 | 140 | 0.58 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $113,940 | $54.78 | 440 | 0.95 |
| 9 | Virginia | $112,760 | $54.21 | 3,180 | 1.05 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $110,150 | $52.96 | 1,300 | 0.49 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,240 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $85,120 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $106,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in California?
The median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators in California is $124,840, or $60.02 per hour. That is 33.1% above the national median of $93,790.
What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $78,280 per year ($37.64/hour). The 25th percentile is $99,270.
How many people work as detectives and criminal investigators in California?
About 12,610 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for detectives and criminal investigators?
California ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.94x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays detectives and criminal investigators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $160,760 per year, followed by Maryland ($126,730) and California ($124,840).