How Much Do Detectives and Criminal Investigators Make in California?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earns $124,840 per year and takes home $89,214 ($7,434/month) — a keep-rate of 71.5%, with 12,610 employed in the state.
Free. No signup. Single filer, standard deduction — full model.
| Gross pay | $10,403.33 |
| Federal income tax | $1,557.96 |
| Social Security | $645.01 |
| Medicare | $150.85 |
| California state income tax | $615.05 |
| You keep | $7,434.48 |
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in California?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earns $124,840 per year (BLS May 2025), about $60.02 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$124,840 gross in California keeps $89,214 after federal income tax ($18,695), FICA ($9,550) and state income tax ($7,381) — $7,434 per month, a 71.5% keep-rate.
How does California compare to the national median for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
The California median is $31,050 above the national median of $93,790.
Which state pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators the most?
Washington DC has the highest median gross for Detectives and Criminal Investigators at $160,760 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in every state · California paycheck calculator · California minimum wage