California Median
$61,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.45
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#7 of 49
4,190 employed here
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in California?
Private Detectives and Investigators in California take home a median of $61,250 annually — roughly $29.45 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $51,220.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $42,600 while the top 10% make $103,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,380 and $82,110 a year.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,600 | $20.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,380 | $21.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,250 | $29.45 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $82,110 | $39.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,410 | $49.72 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories for Private Detectives and Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other states
Oregon $76,480Connecticut $75,010District of Columbia $72,720Vermont $67,910New Hampshire $65,370Washington $64,080Arizona $61,030Illinois $60,210New York $59,140Utah $57,910Minnesota $57,880Virginia $56,160Delaware $55,710New Jersey $54,710Rhode Island $54,620Wyoming $54,310Alaska $53,440North Carolina $52,890Texas $51,810Nebraska $51,750South Carolina $51,530Pennsylvania $51,200Florida $50,640Massachusetts $50,240Tennessee $49,360Colorado $48,730Michigan $48,650Idaho $47,910Arkansas $47,750Kentucky $47,650Montana $47,430Ohio $47,200Alabama $46,810West Virginia $46,410Hawaii $45,750Kansas $45,260Georgia $45,060South Dakota $44,840North Dakota $44,310Maine $43,830Louisiana $41,950Wisconsin $41,850Indiana $41,830Missouri $41,600New Mexico $41,600Iowa $41,110Oklahoma $39,680Mississippi $39,060
Working as Private Detectives and Investigators in California
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($61,250) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in California?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in California is $61,250 per year, or about $29.45 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,600 at the entry level to $103,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 20% more than the national median of $51,220. California ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,250 a year. About 4,190 Private Detectives and Investigators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Private Detectives and Investigators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.