SOC 33-3021 · Visalia, CA metro

Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Visalia, CA

The average salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Visalia, California is $77,920 a year ($37.46 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $85,740: half of the 90 people in this job in the Visalia, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 22% less than the U.S. average for this job ($99,430).

$77,920average per year

$37.46 / hourMedian $85,740Take-home ≈ $60,486

  • $46K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $86KMedian
  • $99K75th
  • $104K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

90people in this job
-22%vs U.S. average
#19 of 19California metros
100cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay range in Visalia

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,350 a year or less, while the top 10% make $103,980 or more. The middle half of detectives and criminal investigators in Visalia earn between $46,350 and $99,130.

  • $46K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $86KMedian
  • $99K75th
  • $104K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$77,920$6,493$37.46
Median$85,740$7,145$41.22
Entry level (25th percentile)$46,350$3,862$22.28
Experienced (75th percentile)$99,130$8,261$47.66

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Visalia vs. California and the U.S.

Detectives and criminal investigators in Visalia earn 36% less than the California average ($121,530) and 22% less than the U.S. average ($99,430). At the median the gap is -9% against the U.S. median of $93,790.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Visalia$77,920$85,740$46,350$103,98090
California$121,530$124,840$78,280$165,51012,610
United States$99,430$93,790$55,390$160,540114,430

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary after taxes in Visalia

On the average salary of $77,920, a single filer in Visalia takes home about $60,486 a year, or $5,040 a month and $2,326 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Visalia a good place for detectives and criminal investigators? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Visalia area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 99.8), so the average $77,920 buys what about $78,057 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Visalia ($45,130). A typical home costs $363,064, or 4.7 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $77,920 is worth in another city

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other California cities

Visalia ranks 19th of 19 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($144,580).

All Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators

Brunswick, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,490).

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by city

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Visalia: questions

How much do detectives and criminal investigators make an hour in Visalia?

$37.46 an hour on average, and $41.22 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in Visalia?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,350 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,350, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the detectives and criminal investigators take-home pay in Visalia?

About $60,486 a year ($5,040 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $77,920. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do detectives and criminal investigators earn more in Visalia than elsewhere?

The average here is 22% less than the U.S. average for this job ($99,430).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-3021; area Visalia, CA (47300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.74, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.74).

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