Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $75,400 +44% vs national
Median hourly $36.25
10th percentile $47,650
90th percentile $117,670
Employed locally 540
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,650
    25th
    $50,180
    50th (median)
    $75,400
    75th
    $103,840
    90th
    $117,670

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 56% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 44% 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 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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $59,840

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $46,740
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $133,190
    Firefighters $121,270
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $41,930
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $40,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $173,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in San Francisco, CA is $36.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.21 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in San Francisco, CA is 44% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $47,650 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,180.