Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in California
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median of $124,840 a year ($60.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,510 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $93,790. California ranks 3rd of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.69 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $121,530, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| 25th percentile | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| Median | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| 75th percentile | $136,020 | $65.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,510 | $79.57 |
| Average (mean) | $121,530 | $58.43 |
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 | $10,403.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,201.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,801.54 |
| Weekly | $2,400.77 |
| Hourly | $60.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $124,840 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 cities in California
| 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 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $96,760 | 230 |
| 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.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $109,650 | $52.71 |
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in California is $124,840 a year, or $60.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in California?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in California earn at least $165,510 a year. The top 25% earn $136,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,280 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $99,270 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in California?
About 12,610 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.