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State comparison · 2025

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary: California vs Virginia

Occupation

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median of $124,840. In Virginia, $112,760. After cost-of-living, the gap is 1.1% — not 10.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+10.7%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+1.1%
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

Virginia

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Median
$112,760
p25
$79,770
p75
$160,760
p10
$62,730
p90
$195,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
101.1
See full breakdown for Virginia

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.