After a California private investigator gets hired for a case, his company pays him for the job based on two factors: what he was contracted to do and how much he does. When you hire me, you get peace of mind knowing that I have your case well in hand. The rates of a P.I. vary based on their experience, the type of work they do and whether or not they have an agent.
INTRODUCTION
As a professional private investigator, my job is to uncover the truth. This truth can vary from an affair or secret to discovering evidence that someone has been stealing from a business. I’ve worked many different investigations and learned many valuable lessons along the way. To help you understand how the world of private investigation works I want to go over some of those things with you today..
International Private Investigator Salary in California Comparison by Location
Nationwide
United States
$62,103
California
United States
$61,447
How much does an International Private Investigator make in California?
As of Jun 23, 2022, the average annual pay for an International Private Investigator in California is $61,447 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $29.54 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,182/week or $5,121/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $110,253 and as low as $22,845, the majority of International Private Investigator salaries currently range between $38,737 (25th percentile) to $82,938 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $98,333 annually in California.
The average pay range for an International Private Investigator varies greatly (as much as $44,201), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the International Private Investigator job market in California is not very active as few companies are currently hiring.
California ranks number 10 out of 50 states nationwide for International Private Investigator salaries.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for International Private Investigator jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
Find your next high paying job as an International Private Investigator on ZipRecruiter today.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for International Private Investigator Jobs in California
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for an International Private Investigator job is above the average in California. Topping the list is San Mateo, with Richmond and Santa Clara close behind in second and third. Santa Clara beats the California average by 14.4%, and San Mateo furthers that trend with another $16,524 (26.9%) above the $61,447.
With these 10 cities paying on average above the average for California, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as an International Private Investigator appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top 10 cities varies very little at 15% between San Mateo and Glendale, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may be the best factor to use when considering location and salary for an International Private Investigator role.
| City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo | $77,972 | $6,498 | $1,499 | $37.49 |
| Richmond | $72,703 | $6,059 | $1,398 | $34.95 |
| Santa Clara | $70,304 | $5,859 | $1,352 | $33.80 |
| San Francisco | $69,335 | $5,778 | $1,333 | $33.33 |
| San Diego | $69,120 | $5,760 | $1,329 | $33.23 |
| Elk Grove | $67,977 | $5,665 | $1,307 | $32.68 |
| Fremont | $67,848 | $5,654 | $1,305 | $32.62 |
| Stockton | $67,663 | $5,639 | $1,301 | $32.53 |
| Pasadena | $67,555 | $5,630 | $1,299 | $32.48 |
| Glendale | $67,009 | $5,584 | $1,289 | $32.22 |
What are Top 5 Best Paying Related International Private Investigator Jobs in California
We found at least 5 jobs related to the International Private Investigator job category that pay more per year than a typical International Private Investigator salary in California. Top examples of these roles include: Primary Investigator, Investigative Group International, and Open Source Investigator.
Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $29,375 (47.8%) and $64,304 (104.6%) more than the average International Private Investigator salary of $61,447. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related International Private Investigator jobs may help you make more money than that of the average International Private Investigator position.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Investigator | $125,751 | $10,479 | $2,418 | $60.46 |
| Investigative Group International | $107,343 | $8,945 | $2,064 | $51.61 |
| Open Source Investigator | $92,303 | $7,692 | $1,775 | $44.38 |
| EEO Investigator | $91,753 | $7,646 | $1,764 | $44.11 |
| Director Corporate Investigator | $90,823 | $7,569 | $1,747 | $43.66 |
CONCLUSION
The California Department of Consumer Affairs released an annual report with the estimated private investigator salary in California. The license requirements and job duties were also listed as well as average private investigator salary. Although the requirements for each state vary, this report can provide you some basic guidelines that should make it easier to sort out your career goals. Also, the salary information will help you make an informed decision about pursuing a license and becoming a private investigator in California.
