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Private Detectives and Investigators average salary by city in California
- San Francisco$78,960
- San Jose$77,160
- Los Angeles$67,920
- Vallejo$64,790
- Visalia$63,810
- Stockton$61,260
- Riverside$61,050
- San Diego$60,370
- Modesto$60,200
- Oxnard$59,960
- Sacramento$58,440
- Fresno$51,350
- Bakersfield$50,310
Pay, take-home pay and cost of living
| City | Average | Median | 25th pct. | Take-home* | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $78,960 | $70,150 | $50,090 | $61,127 | 116 |
| San Jose | $77,160 | $64,060 | $50,260 | $60,012 | 110 |
| Los Angeles | $67,920 | $61,680 | $46,210 | $54,251 | 114 |
| Vallejo | $64,790 | $48,600 | $44,200 | $52,128 | 108 |
| Visalia | $63,810 | $47,970 | $42,050 | $51,419 | 100 |
| Stockton | $61,260 | $50,220 | $44,370 | $49,534 | 105 |
| Riverside | $61,050 | $59,490 | $43,840 | $49,378 | 106 |
| San Diego | $60,370 | $48,650 | $43,560 | $48,873 | 112 |
| Modesto | $60,200 | $58,460 | $43,000 | $48,746 | 104 |
| Oxnard | $59,960 | $58,170 | $45,480 | $48,568 | 111 |
| Sacramento | $58,440 | $51,130 | $43,420 | $47,438 | 107 |
| Fresno | $51,350 | $43,590 | $41,760 | $42,166 | 102 |
| Bakersfield | $50,310 | $43,230 | $41,210 | $41,393 | 101 |
*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other states
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by city and state
More about pay in California
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-9021.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
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