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Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California
Want to work as a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California? Here’s what the data says. Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. Excludes “Private Detectives and Investigators” (33-9021).
What do Detectives and Criminal Investigators Make in California?
For detectives and criminal investigators working in California, the median annual wage is $122,140 per year (or about $58.72/hour).Annual wages span from $79,350 at the 10th percentile to $165,230 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| 25th percentile | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Median (50th) | $122,140 | $58.72 |
| 75th percentile | $136,250 | $65.51 |
| 90th percentile | $165,230 | $79.44 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 0.92.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, detectives and criminal investigators earn a median of $64,492 per year ($31.01/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 410,420 detectives and criminal investigators nationwide. In California alone, around 11,900 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,240 detectives and criminal investigators.
Top California Metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
The largest metro-area employers of detectives and criminal investigators in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 3,070 | $127,980 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,780 | $118,830 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,540 | $109,830 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,430 | $126,380 |
| El Centro, CA | 730 | $121,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 690 | $125,300 |
| Fresno, CA | 390 | $104,980 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 260 | $156,890 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 230 | $100,030 |
| Visalia, CA | 80 | $88,030 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 70 | $143,250 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 60 | $110,530 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 60 | $114,420 |
| Vallejo, CA | 50 | $104,220 |
| Modesto, CA | 40 | $86,050 |
| Redding, CA | 40 | $96,880 |
| Salinas, CA | 40 | $129,880 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 40 | $107,060 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 40 | $129,370 |
Top States for Detectives and Criminal Investigators Employment
View the states that employ the most detectives and criminal investigators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 18,020 |
| California | 11,900 |
| New York | 9,410 |
| Florida | 6,310 |
| Arizona | 5,220 |
| Georgia | 4,820 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,390 |
| North Carolina | 3,240 |
| Virginia | 3,170 |
| Illinois | 3,100 |
| New Jersey | 3,000 |
| Ohio | 2,120 |
| Michigan | 2,050 |
| Colorado | 2,030 |
| New Mexico | 2,000 |
| Tennessee | 1,960 |
| Louisiana | 1,870 |
| Minnesota | 1,770 |
| Washington | 1,680 |
| Wisconsin | 1,480 |
Highest-Paying States for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
The highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $125,630 |
| California | $122,140 |
| Alaska | $121,140 |
| Washington | $116,450 |
| New Jersey | $113,830 |
| Hawaii | $112,100 |
| Massachusetts | $111,460 |
| Virginia | $110,220 |
| Oregon | $107,450 |
| Vermont | $104,330 |
Skills
Key detectives and criminal investigators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for detectives and criminal investigators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Detectives and Criminal Investigators typically:
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
- Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
- Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Linux In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
Related Careers
Related occupations to detectives and criminal investigators include:
- Compliance Officers
- Coroners
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Lawyers
Also Known As
Air Marshal, Burglary Investigator, CIA Agent (Central Intelligence Agency Agent), Child Support Agent, Child Support Investigator, Child Support Officer, City Detective, Counter Intelligence Agent, Crime Analyst, Crime Investigator Special Agent, Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), Criminal Analyst, Criminal Investigations Agent, Criminal Investigative Agent, Criminal Investigator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 33-3021.00
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