Sources: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
California state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective September 14, 2026. These are the ranges California sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Special Agent Trainee, Department of Justice Class 8514 Grade 8514 | $5,139.00 – $6,931.00 a month $61,668 – $83,172 a year |
| Special Investigator Class 8612 Grade 8612 Range A | $5,528.00 – $6,863.00 a month $66,336 – $82,356 a year |
Grade 8612 Range B | $6,310.00 – $8,217.00 a month $75,720 – $98,604 a year |
Grade 8612 Range C | $6,924.00 – $9,037.00 a month $83,088 – $108,444 a year |
Grade 8612 Range L | $5,528.00 – $6,863.00 a month $66,336 – $82,356 a year |
Grade 8612 Range M | $6,310.00 – $8,217.00 a month $75,720 – $98,604 a year |
Grade 8612 Range N | $6,924.00 – $9,037.00 a month $83,088 – $108,444 a year |
| Special Agent, Department of Justice Class 8482 Grade 8482 Range A | $7,454.00 – $10,351.00 a month $89,448 – $124,212 a year |
Grade 8482 Range B | $8,592.00 – $12,834.00 a month $103,104 – $154,008 a year |
| Special Agent Class 9766 Grade 9766 Range A | $9,006.00 – $11,473.00 a month $108,072 – $137,676 a year |
Grade 9766 Range B | $10,049.00 – $12,576.00 a month $120,588 – $150,912 a year |
| Senior Special Agent Class 9767 Grade 9767 | $10,757.00 – $13,480.00 a month $129,084 – $161,760 a year |
Schedule: Civil Service Pay Scale (Section 17, by schematic code). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in California, all employers Sourced
Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021) in California, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | CA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 12,610 |
| 10th percentile | $78,280 |
| Median | $124,840 |
| 90th percentile | $165,510 |
| National median, government employers | $93,790 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Employers in California
464 police departments in California.
58 sheriff's offices in California.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for California
AFOSI Special Agent Selection Cognitive Exam (Air Force Office of Special Investigations)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent Test (DSSAT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Entrance ExamEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent Test Battery (SATB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NCIS Special Agent (1811) Selection Exam — Phase I Cognitive/Logical ReasoningEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Detective / Criminal Investigator page.