Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $125,300 +33.9% vs national
Median hourly $60.24
10th percentile $96,410
90th percentile $191,880
Employed locally 690
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $96,410
    25th
    $105,330
    50th (median)
    $125,300
    75th
    $160,890
    90th
    $191,880

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 94% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 6% below 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 Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $46,740
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $133,190
    Firefighters $121,270
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $41,930
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $40,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $173,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in San Francisco, CA is $60.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $93.84 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in San Francisco, CA is 33.9% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $96,410 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $105,330.