Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $129,370 +38.2% vs national
Median hourly $62.20
10th percentile $75,480
90th percentile $165,320
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 Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $75,480
    25th
    $107,850
    50th (median)
    $129,370
    75th
    $148,620
    90th
    $165,320

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 135% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 35% 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
    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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $42,730
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $119,580
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $94,740
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $39,470
    Firefighters $74,860
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $38,750

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Santa Maria, CA is $62.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $83.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Santa Maria, CA is 38.2% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $75,480 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $107,850.