Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $69,500 +32.7% vs national
Median hourly $33.42
10th percentile $48,480
90th percentile $114,450
Employed locally 380
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Private Detectives and Investigators
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,480
    25th
    $57,220
    50th (median)
    $69,500
    75th
    $89,290
    90th
    $114,450

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 44% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 56% 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
    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 Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$45,930
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$150,650
    Firefighters$164,940
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$55,870
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$45,190
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$131,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in San Jose, CA is $33.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in San Jose, CA is 32.7% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $48,480 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,220.