Private Detectives and Investigators Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 4,290 Private Detectives and Investigators professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
4,290
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
4.29
workers
Location Quotient
6.09
vs national avg
Average Salary
$63K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 6.09 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Private Detectives and Investigators professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
4,290
National: 34,540
12.4% of national
Jobs per 1,000
4.29
National: 0.7
+512.9%
Average Salary
$63K
National: $57K
+11.9%

Top States by Private Detectives and Investigators Employment

#1
4,290
4,290
employed
#2
3,620
3,620
employed
#3
2,760
2,760
employed
#4
1,910
1,910
employed
#5
1,510
1,510
employed
#6
1,490
1,490
employed
#7
1,240
1,240
employed
#8
1,010
1,010
employed
#9
980
980
employed
#10
900
900
employed

What Does a Private Detectives and Investigators Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators in California is $63,880. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 4,290 Private Detectives and Investigators professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Private Detectives and Investigators in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Private Detectives and Investigators jobs (LQ: 6.09). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in California?

The average (mean) salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in California is $63880/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Private Detectives and Investigators professionals?

The top state for Private Detectives and Investigators employment is California with 4,290 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Private Detectives and Investigators (SOC 339021) in California.

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