Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $107,060 +14.4% vs national
Median hourly $51.47
10th percentile $74,920
90th percentile $151,590
Employed locally 40
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $74,920
    25th
    $103,920
    50th (median)
    $107,060
    75th
    $127,310
    90th
    $151,590

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 98% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 2% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $46,030
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $123,140
    Firefighters $74,130
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $37,520
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $38,910
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $81,910

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Santa Cruz, CA is $51.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $72.03 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 14.4% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $74,920 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $103,920.