Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Modesto, CA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $58,460 a year ($28.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,990 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 5% lower than the California statewide median of $61,250. There are 0.17 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $60,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 25th percentile | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Median | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| 75th percentile | $78,590 | $37.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,990 | $41.82 |
| Average (mean) | $60,200 | $28.94 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,871.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,435.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,248.46 |
| Weekly | $1,124.23 |
| Hourly | $28.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $70,150 | 430 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,060 | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $61,680 | 1,520 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $59,490 | 420 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $58,170 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $51,130 | 350 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,220 | 80 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $48,650 | 280 |
| Vallejo, CA | $48,600 | 40 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,970 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,590 | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $43,230 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,990 | $18.74 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $98,230 | $47.23 |
| Firefighter | $77,370 | $37.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,920 | $65.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $106,930 | $51.41 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,170 | $23.16 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Modesto, CA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Modesto, CA metro area is $58,460 a year, or $28.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $86,990 a year. The top 25% earn $78,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,600 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $43,000 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Modesto, CA?
About 30 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.