Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Modesto, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Modesto, CA

Median annual salary $51,560 -1.5% vs national
Median hourly $24.79
10th percentile $41,630
90th percentile $97,420
Employed locally 40
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Modesto, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,630
    25th
    $43,190
    50th (median)
    $51,560
    75th
    $64,730
    90th
    $97,420

    Modesto economic context

    Unemployment rate 6.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,661 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 65% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 35% 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
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $59,950

    Related occupations in Modesto, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,690
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $109,770
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $40,350
    Firefighters $84,200
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $104,750
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $42,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Modesto, CA is $24.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.82 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Modesto, CA is 1.5% below 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 Modesto?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $41,630 per year in Modesto, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,190.