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

Industrial Relations

$149,812 · 2

Department of Public Health

$132,770 · 50

Employment Development Department

$131,534 · 30

Department of Cannabis Control

$131,334 · 67

Public Employee's Retirement Systems

$131,168 · 9

Department of State Hospitals

$128,938 · 62

Department of Fincl Protctn and Inn

$124,515 · 9

Developmental Services

$124,051 · 18

California State Lottery Community

$118,622 · 40

Toxic Substances Control

$118,490 · 16

Insurance

$117,694 · 165

Department of Health Care Services

$110,516 · 59

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

Chicago Public Schools

$99,274 · 13

City of Chicago

$81,324 · 19

New York Public Authorities

$78,295 · 23

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

Omar Alfaro

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$139,837

Base pay: $138,860
Overtime: $504
Other pay: $472
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,837
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253418610032
Salary Total: $11,458
Total Pay: $139,837

Omar Alfaro holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $139,837. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Eduardo Madrid

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$139,463

Base pay: $138,248
Overtime: $414
Other pay: $800
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,463
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253338610013
Salary Total: $11,458
Total Pay: $139,463

At Motor Vehicles, Eduardo Madrid serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $139,463. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Scott Hage

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$139,233

Base pay: $123,479
Overtime: $638
Other pay: $15,116
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,233
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Mateo
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253258610018
Salary Total: $11,670
Total Pay: $139,233

Scott Hage works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Scott earned $139,233 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Howard Brown Jr

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$138,921

Base pay: $130,438
Overtime: $8,307
Other pay: $176
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,921
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253568610023
Salary Total: $10,927
Total Pay: $138,921

At Motor Vehicles, Howard Brown Jr serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $138,921. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Christian Buado

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$138,686

Base pay: $137,719
Overtime: $294
Other pay: $673
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,686
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253338610013
Salary Total: $11,329
Total Pay: $138,686

Christian Buado is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $138,686. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Carlos Cabrera

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$138,594

Base pay: $137,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,080
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,594
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Santa Clara

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253188610015
Salary Total: $11,352
Total Pay: $138,594

At Motor Vehicles, Carlos Cabrera serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $138,594. Union affiliation: R07.

Eric Youngblood

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$138,512

Base pay: $137,709
Overtime: $477
Other pay: $326
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $138,512
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Riverside

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253568610024
Salary Total: $11,670
Total Pay: $138,512

Eric Youngblood works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Eric earned $138,512 in 2025. Union affiliation: R07.

Gabriela Loza

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$137,393

Base pay: $135,793
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,393
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253338610012
Salary Total: $11,139
Total Pay: $137,393

At Motor Vehicles, Gabriela Loza serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $137,393. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Joseph Silva Jr

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$137,099

Base pay: $130,548
Overtime: $6,533
Other pay: $18
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,099
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253568610001
Salary Total: $10,921
Total Pay: $137,099

At Motor Vehicles, Joseph Silva Jr serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $137,099. They are represented by R07.

Mackenzie Polidori

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$137,062

Base pay: $137,062
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,062
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Orange

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253538610010
Salary Total: $11,139
Total Pay: $137,062

Mackenzie Polidori is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $137,062. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Cynthia Melgar

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$136,945

Base pay: $136,945
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,945
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Orange

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253538610007
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $136,945

Cynthia Melgar works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Cynthia earned $136,945 in 2025. Union affiliation: R07.

Elizabeth Orozco

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$136,872

Base pay: $131,084
Overtime: $5,789
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,872
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: H

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253568610028
Salary Total: $10,927
Total Pay: $136,872

At Motor Vehicles, Elizabeth Orozco serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $136,872. Union affiliation: R07.

Ernesto Correa

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$136,804

Base pay: $136,120
Overtime: $229
Other pay: $454
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,804
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253418610028
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $136,804

At Motor Vehicles, Ernesto Correa serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $136,804. They are represented by R07.

Fernando Ponce

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$136,801

Base pay: $136,106
Overtime: $294
Other pay: $400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,801
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253418610035
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $136,801

At Motor Vehicles, Fernando Ponce serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $136,801. They are represented by R07.

Blanca Montes

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$136,520

Base pay: $136,120
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $400
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,520
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253418610033
Salary Total: $11,139
Total Pay: $136,520

Blanca Montes is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $136,520. Union affiliation: R07.

Andrew Witty

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$136,114

Base pay: $135,203
Overtime: $911
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,114
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Orange
Middle name: O

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253538610012
Salary Total: $11,121
Total Pay: $136,114

Andrew Witty is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $136,114. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Daniel Sizemore

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$135,455

Base pay: $131,084
Overtime: $3,418
Other pay: $954
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,455
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: F

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253618610017
Salary Total: $10,927
Total Pay: $135,455

Daniel Sizemore is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $135,455. Their bargaining unit is R07.

David Vega

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$135,432

Base pay: $131,854
Overtime: $3,021
Other pay: $556
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,432
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Solano
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253228610020
Salary Total: $11,139
Total Pay: $135,432

At Motor Vehicles, David Vega serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $135,432. They are represented by R07.

Daisy Aldape

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$135,280

Base pay: $134,283
Overtime: $997
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,280
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Kern

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253458610002
Salary Total: $11,121
Total Pay: $135,280

At Motor Vehicles, Daisy Aldape serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $135,280. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Beronica Gastelum

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$135,153

Base pay: $135,153
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $135,153
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Fresno

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253448610010
Salary Total: $11,121
Total Pay: $135,153

Beronica Gastelum holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $135,153. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Daniel Shield

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$134,788

Base pay: $133,484
Overtime: $1,304
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,788
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253398610026
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $134,788

At Motor Vehicles, Daniel Shield serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $134,788. They are represented by R07.

Frank Haskell

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$134,598

Base pay: $131,084
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,514
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,598
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253598610007
Salary Total: $10,927
Total Pay: $134,598

At Motor Vehicles, Frank Haskell serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $134,598. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Joseph Ragland

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$134,463

Base pay: $131,084
Overtime: $3,343
Other pay: $36
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,463
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253568610036
Salary Total: $10,927
Total Pay: $134,463

Joseph Ragland holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $134,463. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Bryan Esparza

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$134,103

Base pay: $131,084
Overtime: $3,019
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,103
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: 5253538610017
Salary Total: $10,927
Total Pay: $134,103

Bryan Esparza works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Bryan earned $134,103 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Kenneth Loochkartt

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$134,072

Base pay: $133,484
Overtime: $589
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $134,072
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253618610016
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $134,072

Kenneth Loochkartt works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Kenneth earned $134,072 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Tiffany Ruvalcaba

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$133,993

Base pay: $133,160
Overtime: $832
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,993
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253318610005
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $133,993

Tiffany Ruvalcaba holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $133,993. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Craig Mattison

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$133,772

Base pay: $133,484
Overtime: $289
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,772
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Orange
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253538610005
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $133,772

Craig Mattison is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $133,772. Union affiliation: R07.

Daisy Aldape-Holt

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$133,628

Base pay: $133,484
Overtime: $144
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,628
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Kern

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253458610002
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $133,628

Daisy Aldape-Holt works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Daisy earned $133,628 in 2025. They are represented by R07.

Delores Toti

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$133,615

Base pay: $132,835
Overtime: $780
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,615
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253318610004
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $133,615

Delores Toti holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $133,615. Their bargaining unit is R07.

David L Silva

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$133,601

Base pay: $133,601
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,601
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253068610004
Salary Total: $11,139
Total Pay: $133,601

David L Silva is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $133,601. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Brent Johnson

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$133,528

Base pay: $132,773
Overtime: $755
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,528
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253398610001
Salary Total: $11,121
Total Pay: $133,528

Brent Johnson is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $133,528. They are represented by R07.

Nicholas Acuna

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$133,484

Base pay: $133,484
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,484
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253408610018
Salary Total: $11,127
Total Pay: $133,484

At Motor Vehicles, Nicholas Acuna serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $133,484. They are represented by R07.

Sam Davis Iii

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$133,399

Base pay: $131,084
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,316
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $133,399
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253598610002
Salary Total: $10,927
Total Pay: $133,399

At Motor Vehicles, Sam Davis Iii serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $133,399. They are represented by R07.

Blake Smith

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$132,801

Base pay: $132,791
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,801
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253068610007
Salary Total: $11,129
Total Pay: $132,801

At Motor Vehicles, Blake Smith serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $132,801. Union affiliation: R07.

Lialew Lee

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$132,784

Base pay: $132,723
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $61
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,784
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253068610003
Salary Total: $11,121
Total Pay: $132,784

Lialew Lee holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $132,784. They are represented by R07.

Steven Battistoni

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$132,753

Base pay: $132,753
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,753
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Kern
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,401
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253458610009
Salary Total: $10,921
Total Pay: $132,753

Steven Battistoni works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Steven earned $132,753 in 2024. They are represented by R07.

Brittany Mclaughlin

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$132,434

Base pay: $131,915
Overtime: $409
Other pay: $110
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $132,434
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,609
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253658610017
Salary Total: $11,139
Total Pay: $132,434

At Motor Vehicles, Brittany Mclaughlin serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $132,434. Union affiliation: R07.