Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $59,950 +14.5% vs national
Median hourly $28.82
10th percentile $42,660
90th percentile $96,780
Employed locally 1,780
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,660
    25th
    $45,710
    50th (median)
    $59,950
    75th
    $82,310
    90th
    $96,780

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 64% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 36% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,400
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $69,500
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $60,280
    California $60,210
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $59,840

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $42,940
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $115,630
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $43,450
    Firefighters $99,210
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $38,230
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $79,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Los Angeles, CA is $28.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.15 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Los Angeles, CA is 14.5% above the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $42,660 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,710.