State comparison · 2025
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary: California vs South Carolina
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median of $124,840. In South Carolina, $62,760. After cost-of-living, the gap is 68.4% — not 98.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+98.9%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+68.4%
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
South Carolina
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Median
- $62,760
- p25
- $55,490
- p75
- $77,200
- p10
- $50,960
- p90
- $149,280
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 93.7
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.