Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California
Local pay for detectives and criminal investigators in California, on the same wage scale as the U.S. Growth and openings are national.
SOC 33-3021
$124,840
median pay, California
12,610
employed in California
+33.1%
vs U.S. median
-0.7%
growth, 2024–34 (U.S.)
What detectives and criminal investigators earn in California
California · annual wage · OEWS May 2025
Half of detectives and criminal investigators in California earn between $99,270 and $136,020 a year; the U.S. median is $93,790.
$78,280
P10
$99,270
P25
$124,840
MEDIAN
$136,020
P75
$165,510
P90
Pay by metro in California
$158,640
$153,570
$133,100
$130,810
$127,890
$127,420
$126,700
$124,840
$60k $130k $200k