Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Bakersfield, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Median annual salary $100,030 +6.9% vs national
Median hourly $48.09
10th percentile $90,060
90th percentile $152,190
Employed locally 230
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Bakersfield, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $90,060
    25th
    $97,910
    50th (median)
    $100,030
    75th
    $140,250
    90th
    $152,190

    Bakersfield economic context

    Unemployment rate 8.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,660 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 148% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 48% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $129,370
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $127,980
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $126,380

    Related occupations in Bakersfield, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $104,090
    Security Guards $38,460
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $79,050
    Firefighters $72,410
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $37,150
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $632,190

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Bakersfield?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Bakersfield, CA is $48.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.66 or more per hour.

    Is Bakersfield above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Bakersfield, CA is 6.9% above the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Bakersfield?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $90,060 per year in Bakersfield, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $97,910.