Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in El Centro, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • El Centro, CA

Median annual salary $121,330 +29.7% vs national
Median hourly $58.33
10th percentile $80,750
90th percentile $130,600
Employed locally 730
National median $93,580

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
El Centro, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $80,750
    25th
    $104,480
    50th (median)
    $121,330
    75th
    $124,700
    90th
    $130,600

    El Centro economic context

    Unemployment rate 18.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,393 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 215% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 115% 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 El Centro, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $104,090
    Security Guards $36,110
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $76,570
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $36,260
    First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers $127,920
    Firefighters $53,880

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in El Centro, CA is $58.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in El Centro, CA is 29.7% 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 El Centro?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $80,750 per year in El Centro, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $104,480.