How much does a private detective and investigator make in Los Angeles?
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area. That is $29.65 an hour or $5,140 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.65
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among cities
- 20 of 143
- Jobs in the area
- 1,520
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,200 | $20.77 | |
| 25th | $46,210 | $22.22 | |
| Median | $61,680 | $29.65 | |
| 75th | $82,110 | $39.48 | |
| 90th | $102,200 | $49.15 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.
| San Francisco, CA | $70,150 |
| San Jose, CA | $64,060 |
| Riverside, CA | $59,490 |
| Oxnard, CA | $58,170 |
| Sacramento, CA | $51,130 |
| Stockton, CA | $50,220 |
| San Diego, CA | $48,650 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,970 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,590 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $43,230 |
Related jobs in Los Angeles
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Los Angeles, CAFrequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in Los Angeles?
The median hourly pay in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $29.65 ($61,680 a year).
Do private detective and investigators make more in Los Angeles than the national average?
Yes: $61,680 against $51,220 nationally, 20% more.
How does Los Angeles compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $61,250, so Los Angeles pays 1% more.
Where does Los Angeles rank for private detective and investigator pay?
20 of 143 metro areas with data.
How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out in Los Angeles?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,200 or less a year; the top 10% make $102,200 or more.
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.