Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $127,980/year ($61.53/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $82K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $112,688 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,601/month — about 34.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $128K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
About detectives and criminal investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $82K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K.Top earners bring in $175K or more - a $93K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $126K | +34% | 960 |
| California | $122K | +31% | 11,900 |
| Alaska | $121K | +29% | 130 |
| Washington | $116K | +24% | 1,680 |
| New Jersey | $114K | +22% | 3,000 |
| Hawaii | $112K | +20% | 440 |
| Massachusetts | $111K | +19% | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $110K | +18% | 3,170 |
| Oregon | $107K | +15% | 470 |
| Vermont | $104K | +11% | 210 |
| New York | $103K | +10% | 9,410 |
| Arizona | $103K | +10% | 5,220 |
| Nebraska | $99K | +6% | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $99K | +6% | 3,390 |
| Montana | $96K | +2% | 470 |
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $127,980 a year - that works out to about $61.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $82,250, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $175,340. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,516/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 34.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a detectives and criminal investigators salary go in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median detectives and criminal investigators salary is worth about $112,688 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do detectives and criminal investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.