Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,600
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,380
- 50th Percentile — Median$61,250
- 75th Percentile — Senior$82,110
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$103,410
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in California earn more than $61,250. The top 10% make $103,410 or more, while entry-level workers start around $42,600.
Private Detectives and Investigators in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 7th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $67,040 per year (11.5% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 4,190 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in California — 11.8% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.01: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,600; the top 10% earn over $103,410.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.23 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in California, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($163,210).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $67,040 on average, placing the state 7th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $67,040 is roughly equivalent to $47,211 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($71,020), Massachusetts ($70,110), New Hampshire ($69,350) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $163,210/yr California +143.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $151,620/yr California +126.2% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $121,530/yr California +81.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $112,980/yr California +68.5% vs this role
- Firefighters $95,090/yr California +41.8% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $92,410/yr California +37.8% vs this role
- Security Guards $44,920/yr California 33.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in California?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in California is $67,040 per year (median $61,250), which is 11.5% above the national average of $60,150.
How does California rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
California ranks 7th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in California earn about $42,600 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,380.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in California?
About $32.23 per hour, based on the $67,040 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in California?
BLS counts 4,190 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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