Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in California

BLS OEWS May 2025 • 22 metro areas • California

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median salary of $113,295 per year on average across 22 metro and nonmetro areas, +21.1% vs the national median of $93,580. An estimated 11,760 detectives and criminal investigators are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $86,050 to $156,890 depending on location.

$113,295 Avg median salary in California
$156,890 Highest paying metro
$86,050 Lowest paying metro
11,760 Employed in California

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries & buying power

Pick two cities to see how salary and purchasing power differ.

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
    vs

      Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries by city in California

      Metro area Median salary 25th pct 75th pct Employed
      San Jose, CA $156,890 $114,780 $156,890 260
      Oxnard, CA $143,250 $94,760 $172,280 70
      Salinas, CA $129,880 $103,910 $139,800 40
      Santa Maria, CA $129,370 $107,850 $148,620 40
      Los Angeles, CA $127,980 $100,100 $151,420 3,070
      Riverside, CA $126,380 $104,880 $134,520 1,430
      San Francisco, CA $125,300 $105,330 $160,890 690
      El Centro, CA $121,330 $104,480 $124,700 730
      San Diego, CA $118,830 $102,340 $123,800 2,780
      Stockton, CA $114,420 $99,250 $139,800 60
      Santa Rosa, CA $110,530 $83,380 $137,280 60
      Sacramento, CA $109,830 $88,140 $136,200 1,540
      Santa Cruz, CA $107,060 $103,920 $127,310 40
      Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California $105,940 $104,480 $123,530 30
      Fresno, CA $104,980 $99,250 $131,140 390
      Vallejo, CA $104,220 $98,020 $129,640 50
      Bakersfield, CA $100,030 $97,910 $140,250 230
      Redding, CA $96,880 $96,880 $127,860 40
      North Coast Region of California $94,560 $75,770 $96,420 60
      North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California $90,750 $80,740 $105,340 30
      Visalia, CA $88,030 $46,900 $100,300 80
      Modesto, CA $86,050 $72,380 $104,890 40

      ← View Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries in all cities