How much does a private detective and investigator make in Riverside?
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area. That is $28.60 an hour or $4,958 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.60
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among cities
- 26 of 143
- Jobs in the area
- 420
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,050 | $20.22 | |
| 25th | $43,840 | $21.08 | |
| Median | $59,490 | $28.60 | |
| 75th | $77,270 | $37.15 | |
| 90th | $77,270 | $37.15 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.
| San Francisco, CA | $70,150 |
| San Jose, CA | $64,060 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $61,680 |
| 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 Riverside
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Riverside, CAFrequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in Riverside?
The median hourly pay in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $28.60 ($59,490 a year).
Do private detective and investigators make more in Riverside than the national average?
Yes: $59,490 against $51,220 nationally, 16% more.
How does Riverside compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $61,250, so Riverside pays 3% less.
Where does Riverside rank for private detective and investigator pay?
26 of 143 metro areas with data.
How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out in Riverside?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,050 or less a year; the top 10% make $77,270 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.