Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $118,830 +27% vs national
Median hourly $57.13
10th percentile $77,740
90th percentile $166,840
Employed locally 2,780
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $77,740
    25th
    $102,340
    50th (median)
    $118,830
    75th
    $123,800
    90th
    $166,840

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 116% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 16% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $41,380
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $109,190
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $43,190
    Firefighters $70,120
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $38,700
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $147,340

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in San Diego, CA is $57.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in San Diego, CA is 27% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $77,740 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,340.