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California / Motor Vehicles / Investigator

Job-title file

Investigator

Inspect and investigate for compliance with regulations, document findings, and recommend action.

188 employees hold this title in Motor Vehicles. Median total compensation for the role is $124,758, above the department median of $65,028.

Employees
188
Total payroll
$21.3M
Role median
$124,758
Agency median
$65,028
Comparison
Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$1,500$155,237+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 188 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compare departments

This role across California

Investigator is held in 18 California departments. In Motor Vehicles, the median of $124,758 ranks #7 of 18.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Median total compensation for the Investigator role in other Californiadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Investigator beyond California

This role is reported in 21 jurisdictions. In California, the median of $118,556 ranks #2 of 21. See Investigator across all of California

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

Los Angeles County
$179,956 · 18
District of Columbia
$106,809 · 328
City of Chicago
$81,324 · 19
Florida
$71,480 · 350
New Jersey
$69,979 · 104
City of Buffalo
$67,397 · 5

Median total compensation for comparable Investigatorroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Oscar Magana

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$132,038
Base pay
$131,956
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$82
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$132,038
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Sacramento
Middle name
R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253188610022
Salary Total
$11,127
Total Pay
$132,038

Oscar Magana works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Oscar earned $132,038 in 2025. Union affiliation: R07.

Arthur Rios

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,956
Base pay
$131,956
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,956
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253448610017
Salary Total
$11,127
Total Pay
$131,956

Arthur Rios works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Arthur earned $131,956 in 2025. They are represented by R07.

Heidi Smith

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,862
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$779
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,862
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Diego
Middle name
E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253598610014
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,862

Heidi Smith is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,862. They are represented by R07.

Mark Jackson

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,676
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$592
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,676
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Kern
Middle name
P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253458610001
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,676

Mark Jackson is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,676. They are represented by R07.

Michael Goodnight

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,662
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$578
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,662
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Diego
Middle name
P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253618610002
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,662

Michael Goodnight works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Michael earned $131,662 in 2025. Union affiliation: R07.

Oleg Zhivaga

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,568
Base pay
$131,250
Overtime
$317
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,568
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Los Angeles
Middle name
V

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,273
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253668610001
Salary Total
$10,781
Total Pay
$131,568

Oleg Zhivaga is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,568. Union affiliation: R07.

Chelsea Bonsall

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp
$131,444
Base pay
$130,193
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$1,251
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,444
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Santa Clara
Middle name
N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,401
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253268610007
Salary Total
$10,921
Total Pay
$131,444

Chelsea Bonsall is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $131,444. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Sandra Fiore

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp
$131,361
Base pay
$128,761
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$2,600
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,361
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Los Angeles
Middle name
S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$9,711
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253318610022
Salary Total
$10,910
Total Pay
$131,361

Sandra Fiore works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Sandra earned $131,361 in 2023. Union affiliation: R07.

Troy Dugal

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,334
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$250
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,334
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Diego
Middle name
L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253598610003
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,334

At Motor Vehicles, Troy Dugal serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $131,334. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Rockwell Raun

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,296
Base pay
$131,296
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,296
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Placer
Middle name
L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253188610018
Salary Total
$11,139
Total Pay
$131,296

Rockwell Raun holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $131,296. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Adam Morales

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,284
Base pay
$131,284
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,284
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Ventura
Middle name
L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253358610013
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,284

At Motor Vehicles, Adam Morales serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $131,284. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Oscar Vazquez

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,282
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$180
Other pay
$18
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,282
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Diego
Middle name
M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253618610018
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,282

Oscar Vazquez holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $131,282. Union affiliation: R07.

Aaron Lundquist

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,189
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$105
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,189
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Joaquin
Middle name
L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253468610010
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,189

Aaron Lundquist works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Aaron earned $131,189 in 2025. They are represented by R07.

Ashley Salinas

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,102
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$18
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,102
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253448610016
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,102

Ashley Salinas holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $131,102. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Kevin Rovai

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,096
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$12
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,096
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Placer
Middle name
C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253188610017
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,096

Kevin Rovai holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $131,096. Union affiliation: R07.

Michael Glinskas

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253068610010
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Michael Glinskas is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,084. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Aaron Beatty

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Joaquin
Middle name
D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253468610020
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Aaron Beatty is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,084. Union affiliation: R07.

Joseph Perea

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Riverside
Middle name
G

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253698610007
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Joseph Perea is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,084. Union affiliation: R07.

Heather Crippen

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Solano
Middle name
M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253188610008
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Heather Crippen is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,084. Union affiliation: R07.

Bruce Motter

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Sacramento
Middle name
W

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253658610018
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Bruce Motter holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $131,084. They are represented by R07.

Viceno Mestrovich

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Solano

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253228610013
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Viceno Mestrovich works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Viceno earned $131,084 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Douglas Sword

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Kern
Middle name
S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253458610011
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Douglas Sword works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Douglas earned $131,084 in 2025. Union affiliation: R07.

Robert Venable

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,084
Base pay
$131,084
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,084
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Kern
Middle name
J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253458610013
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,084

Robert Venable holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $131,084. They are represented by R07.

Robert Quiroz

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$131,062
Base pay
$131,062
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,062
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Riverside
Middle name
A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253698610001
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$131,062

Robert Quiroz is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $131,062. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Larry Shoup

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp
$131,034
Base pay
$130,373
Overtime
$662
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$131,034
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Sacramento
Middle name
S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,401
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253068610002
Salary Total
$10,921
Total Pay
$131,034

Larry Shoup works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Larry earned $131,034 in 2024. They are represented by R07.

Zachary Baratta

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$130,990
Base pay
$130,990
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$130,990
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Joaquin
Middle name
P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253468610021
Salary Total
$10,927
Total Pay
$130,990

At Motor Vehicles, Zachary Baratta serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $130,990. Union affiliation: R07.

Brian Ford

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp
$130,394
Base pay
$130,323
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$72
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$130,394
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Diego
Middle name
M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,401
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253608610025
Salary Total
$10,921
Total Pay
$130,394

Brian Ford works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Brian earned $130,394 in 2024. Union affiliation: R07.

Agustin Alberto

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$130,071
Base pay
$130,071
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$130,071
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Joaquin
Middle name
M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,609
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253468610023
Salary Total
$10,837
Total Pay
$130,071

Agustin Alberto holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $130,071. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Blake Ebbert

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp
$130,000
Base pay
$129,309
Overtime
$646
Other pay
$46
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$130,000
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Sacramento
Middle name
B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,401
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253468610016
Salary Total
$10,661
Total Pay
$130,000

Blake Ebbert is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $130,000. They are represented by R07.

Veronica Fernandez

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$129,771
Base pay
$126,567
Overtime
$3,203
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$129,771
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
San Diego

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,203
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253618610011
Salary Total
$10,509
Total Pay
$129,771

Veronica Fernandez is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $129,771. They are represented by R07.

Adrian Gonzalez

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp
$129,378
Base pay
$129,378
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$129,378
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,358
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253448610015
Salary Total
$11,076
Total Pay
$129,378

Adrian Gonzalez is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $129,378. Union affiliation: R07.

Jose Navarro

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp
$125,469
Base pay
$120,881
Overtime
$91
Other pay
$4,497
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$125,469
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Santa Clara
Middle name
S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,197
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253478610013
Salary Total
$10,522
Total Pay
$125,469

Jose Navarro is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $125,469. They are represented by R07.

Howard Roberts

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp
$125,160
Base pay
$110,481
Overtime
$469
Other pay
$14,210
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$125,160
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Los Angeles
Middle name
C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,401
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253398610023
Salary Total
$11,121
Total Pay
$125,160

At Motor Vehicles, Howard Roberts serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,160. They are represented by R07.

Thomas Gandara

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp
$124,870
Base pay
$124,870
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$0
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$124,870
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Ventura

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,401
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253358610014
Salary Total
$10,921
Total Pay
$124,870

Thomas Gandara works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Thomas earned $124,870 in 2024. Union affiliation: R07.

Paula Leonard

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp
$124,647
Base pay
$66,780
Overtime
$0
Other pay
$57,867
Benefits
$0
Total compensation
$124,647
Employment type
Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit
R07
Work county
Orange
Middle name
M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay
$10,504
Cs/csu
Cs
Position Number
5253538610004
Salary Total
$11,019
Total Pay
$124,647

Paula Leonard works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Paula earned $124,647 in 2025. Union affiliation: R07.