Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Salinas, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Salinas, CA

Median annual salary $129,880 +38.8% vs national
Median hourly $62.44
10th percentile $79,990
90th percentile $187,700
Employed locally 40
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $79,990
    25th
    $103,910
    50th (median)
    $129,880
    75th
    $139,800
    90th
    $187,700

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 137% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 37% 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
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $129,370

    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
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $129,370
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $127,980
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $126,380
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,300

    Related occupations in Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $106,490
    Security Guards $43,280
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $122,290
    Firefighters $79,310
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $38,860
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $37,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Salinas, CA is $62.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $84.45 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Salinas, CA is 38.8% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $79,990 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $103,910.