How much does a private detective and investigator make in California?
$61,250a year
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in California. That is $29.45 an hour or $5,104 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.45
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among states
- 7 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 4,190
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,600Median: $61,250Highest 10%: $103,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,600 | $20.48 | |
| 25th | $45,380 | $21.82 | |
| Median | $61,250 | $29.45 | |
| 75th | $82,110 | $39.48 | |
| 90th | $103,400 | $49.72 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $70,150 |
| San Jose, CA | $64,060 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $61,680 |
| Riverside, CA | $59,490 |
| Modesto, CA | $58,460 |
| Oxnard, CA | $58,170 |
| Sacramento, CA | $51,130 |
| Stockton, CA | $50,220 |
| San Diego, CA | $48,650 |
| Vallejo, CA | $48,600 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,970 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,590 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $43,230 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for private detective and investigators.
| 4. Vermont | $67,910 |
| 5. New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| 6. Washington | $64,080 |
| 7. California | $61,250 |
| 8. Arizona | $61,030 |
| 9. Illinois | $60,210 |
| 10. New York | $59,140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $29.45 ($61,250 a year).
Do private detective and investigators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $61,250 against $51,220 nationally, 20% more.
Where does California rank for private detective and investigator pay?
California ranks 7 of 49 states.
Which city in California pays private detective and investigators the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $70,150 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.