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State comparison · 2025

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary: California vs Colorado

Occupation

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median of $124,840. In Colorado, $105,480. After cost-of-living, the gap is 10.2% — not 18.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+18.4%
California vs Colorado
COL-adjusted gap
+10.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median
$124,840
p25
$99,270
p75
$136,020
p10
$78,280
p90
$165,510
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
See full breakdown for California

Colorado

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median
$105,480
p25
$86,290
p75
$115,130
p10
$73,010
p90
$161,550
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
103.1
See full breakdown for Colorado

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.