Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in San Diego, CA
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $124,840 a year — 33% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $87,591 take-home, or $7,299 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median detective and criminal investigator salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,696
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,740
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,810
- California income tax$7,381
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,623
- Take-home pay$87,591
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 San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,790 | $37.40 | $59,533 | $4,961 |
| 25th percentile | $104,600 | $50.29 | $75,558 | $6,297 |
| Median (50th) | $124,840 | $60.02 | $87,591 | $7,299 |
| 75th percentile | $128,230 | $61.65 | $89,548 | $7,462 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,110 | $80.34 | $112,002 | $9,333 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $124,840 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median detective and criminal investigator's $87,591 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,285 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA has 2.6× the national concentration of detective and criminal investigator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #3 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
- Los Angeles, CA — $127,890
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in San Diego, CA?
The median detective and criminal investigator salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $124,840 a year, or about $60.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $104,600 and $128,230.
What is a detective and criminal investigator’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $124,840 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $87,591 a year ($7,299 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,003 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a detective and criminal investigator?
Pay here is 33% above the national median of $93,790. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,285 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #3 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a detective and criminal investigator afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median detective and criminal investigator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $110,400
- Firefighter — $70,900
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $44,270
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $43,050
- Security Guard — $38,500