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State comparison · 2025

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary: California vs Iowa

Occupation

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median of $124,840. In Iowa, $79,560. After cost-of-living, the gap is 24.5% — not 56.9%.

Nominal pay gap
+56.9%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+24.5%
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

Iowa

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median
$79,560
p25
$67,370
p75
$90,380
p10
$58,930
p90
$141,650
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
87.8
See full breakdown for Iowa

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.