Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn a median of $96,760 a year ($46.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,300 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 22% lower than the California statewide median of $124,840. There are 0.69 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $112,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| 25th percentile | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Median | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| 75th percentile | $131,040 | $63.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,300 | $74.66 |
| Average (mean) | $112,690 | $54.18 |
Half of detectives and criminal 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 | $8,063.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,031.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,721.54 |
| Weekly | $1,860.77 |
| Hourly | $46.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $158,640 | 280 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $153,570 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $133,100 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $130,810 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $127,890 | 3,240 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $127,420 | 1,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $126,700 | 690 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $124,840 | 2,990 |
| El Centro, CA | $123,970 | 770 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $113,360 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $109,720 | 420 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $109,500 | 1,570 |
| Vallejo, CA | $108,430 | 60 |
| Salinas, CA | $105,990 | 50 |
| Modesto, CA | $104,000 | 90 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $102,710 | 40 |
| Redding, CA | $94,280 | 40 |
| Visalia, CA | $85,740 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $107,220 | $51.55 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Security Guard | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Firefighter | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,010 | $18.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $632,190 | $303.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $122,960 | $59.12 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $58,060 | $27.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $42,650 | $20.51 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Animal Control Worker | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $91,170 | $43.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. 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 detectives and criminal investigators make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area is $96,760 a year, or $46.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn at least $155,300 a year. The top 25% earn $131,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,490 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $96,760 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
About 230 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.