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State comparison · 2025

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary: California vs District of Columbia

Occupation

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia earn a median of $160,760. In California, $124,840. After cost-of-living, the gap is 22.9% — not 22.3%.

Nominal pay gap
-22.3%
California vs District of Columbia
COL-adjusted gap
-22.9%
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

District of Columbia

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median
$160,760
p25
$114,230
p75
$170,810
p10
$94,220
p90
$195,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
109.9
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

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.