Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn a median of $58,170 a year ($27.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,350 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 0.25 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,880 | $20.61 |
| 25th percentile | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Median | $58,170 | $27.97 |
| 75th percentile | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Average (mean) | $59,960 | $28.83 |
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 | $4,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,423.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,237.31 |
| Weekly | $1,118.65 |
| Hourly | $27.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| Modesto, CA | $58,460 | 30 |
| 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $40,960 | $19.69 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $119,640 | $57.52 |
| Firefighter | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $149,460 | $71.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $97,640 | $46.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,310 | $26.59 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $153,570 | $73.83 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $98,150 | $47.19 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area is $58,170 a year, or $27.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area earn at least $74,350 a year. The top 25% earn $63,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,880 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $45,480 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
About 80 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.