Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $127,890 a year — 36% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $89,352 take-home, or $7,446 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median detective and criminal investigator salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,428
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,929
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,854
- California income tax$7,664
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,663
- Take-home pay$89,352
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Detective and Criminal Investigator pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,510 | $39.67 | $62,359 | $5,197 |
| 25th percentile | $101,830 | $48.96 | $73,903 | $6,159 |
| Median (50th) | $127,890 | $61.49 | $89,352 | $7,446 |
| 75th percentile | $148,590 | $71.44 | $101,306 | $8,442 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,030 | $83.67 | $115,998 | $9,666 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $127,890 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median detective and criminal investigator's $89,352 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,679 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Detective and Criminal Investigator jobs are less concentrated in Los Angeles, CA than nationally (location quotient 0.70), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $156,750 | $108,049 | $99,233 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $127,890 | $89,352 | $78,679 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $124,840 | $87,591 | $78,285 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,440 | $78,471 | $69,713 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $69,900 | $55,000 | $54,968 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: detectives and criminal investigators
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.2% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries elsewhere in California
- San Diego, CA — $124,840
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median detective and criminal investigator salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $127,890 a year, or about $61.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $101,830 and $148,590.
What is a detective and criminal investigator’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $127,890 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $89,352 a year ($7,446 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,327 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a detective and criminal investigator?
Pay here is 36% above the national median of $93,790. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,679 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a detective and criminal investigator afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median detective and criminal investigator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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