State comparison · 2025
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary: California vs Washington
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California earn a median of $124,840. In Washington, $115,790. After cost-of-living, the gap is 4.2% — not 7.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+7.8%
California vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
+4.2%
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
Washington
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
- Median
- $115,790
- p25
- $96,540
- p75
- $126,170
- p10
- $84,500
- p90
- $162,860
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 107.0
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.