Detectives and Criminal Investigators Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 10,980 Detectives and Criminal Investigators professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
10,980
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
10.98
workers
Location Quotient
5.19
vs national avg
Average Salary
$115K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 5.19 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Detectives and Criminal Investigators professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
10,980
National: 103,650
10.6% of national
Jobs per 1,000
10.98
National: 2.12
+417.9%
Average Salary
$115K
National: $91K
+26.9%

Top States by Detectives and Criminal Investigators Employment

#1
16,460
16,460
employed
#2
10,980
10,980
employed
#3
9,030
9,030
employed
#4
6,010
6,010
employed
#5
5,250
5,250
employed
#6
4,930
4,930
employed
#7
3,420
3,420
employed
#8
3,390
3,390
employed
#9
3,360
3,360
employed
#10
3,170
3,170
employed

What Does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California is $115,910. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 10,980 Detectives and Criminal Investigators professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Detectives and Criminal Investigators in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs (LQ: 5.19). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California?

The average (mean) salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in California is $115910/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Detectives and Criminal Investigators professionals?

The top state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators employment is Texas with 16,460 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 333021) in California.

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