📖 Read the detectives and criminal investigators salary & career guide →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in California
Ranked #5 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of detectives and criminal investigatorss in California earn between $78,280 and $165,510. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean detectives and criminal investigators salary in California is $121,530, about 22.2% above the U.S. average ($99,430). That works out to roughly $58/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $158,640 | $144,580 | 280 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $153,570 | $138,040 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $133,100 | $125,820 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $130,810 | $129,740 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $127,890 | $126,590 | 3,240 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $127,420 | $124,470 | 1,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $126,700 | $135,460 | 690 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $124,840 | $121,210 | 2,990 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in California?
The median detectives and criminal investigators salary in California is $124,840 per year (mean $121,530), and about 80% earn between $78,280 and $165,510.
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make per hour in California?
Roughly $58 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $121,530 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for detectives and criminal investigators?
California ranks #5 of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. Its mean salary of $121,530 is about 22.2% above the U.S. average of $99,430.
Which metro areas in California pay detectives and criminal investigators the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for detectives and criminal investigators are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($158,640), Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($153,570), Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ($133,100), by median annual wage.