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 5

Adrian Armenta

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$89,337

Base pay: $88,317
Overtime: $1,020
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,337
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Sacramento
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,656
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253338610003
Salary Total: $7,723
Total Pay: $89,337

At Motor Vehicles, Adrian Armenta serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $89,337. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Jordan Stallworth

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$89,110

Base pay: $89,110
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,110
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,656
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253338610011
Salary Total: $7,723
Total Pay: $89,110

Jordan Stallworth holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $89,110. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Karina Avila

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$88,913

Base pay: $85,738
Overtime: $3,175
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,913
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,852
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253598610015
Salary Total: $7,395
Total Pay: $88,913

Karina Avila is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2024 total compensation came to $88,913. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Claudia Perez

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$88,317

Base pay: $88,317
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,317
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,656
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253338610008
Salary Total: $7,723
Total Pay: $88,317

Claudia Perez works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Claudia earned $88,317 in 2025. They are represented by R07.

Ivy Kim

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$88,178

Base pay: $87,095
Overtime: $1,083
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,178
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Santa Clara

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,195
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253268610037
Salary Total: $7,555
Total Pay: $88,178

Ivy Kim works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Ivy earned $88,178 in 2024. They are represented by R07.

Robert Nava

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$86,632

Base pay: $86,632
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $86,632
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Ventura

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,656
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253358610200
Salary Total: $7,523
Total Pay: $86,632

Robert Nava is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $86,632. They are represented by R07.

Silvia Gastelum-Rojas

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$85,782

Base pay: $85,182
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,782
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Solano

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,258
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253228610021
Salary Total: $7,476
Total Pay: $85,782

Silvia Gastelum-Rojas is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $85,782. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Andres Medrano

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$83,965

Base pay: $83,365
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $600
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $83,965
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,471
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253698610004
Salary Total: $7,471
Total Pay: $83,965

Andres Medrano works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Andres earned $83,965 in 2024. They are represented by R07.

Richard Goggin

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$77,345

Base pay: $66,944
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,401
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,345
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,711
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253608610019
Salary Total: $9,711
Total Pay: $77,345

Richard Goggin holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $77,345. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Gene Brantley

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$67,964

Base pay: $67,437
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $527
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $67,964
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: P

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,711
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253608610022
Salary Total: $9,836
Total Pay: $67,964

At Motor Vehicles, Gene Brantley serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $67,964. Union affiliation: R07.

Albert Inzunza

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$64,514

Base pay: $64,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $64,514
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Ventura

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,339
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253358610004
Salary Total: $7,164
Total Pay: $64,514

Albert Inzunza works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Albert earned $64,514 in 2025. Union affiliation: R07.

Ryan Tays

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$63,591

Base pay: $58,061
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,530
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $63,591
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,196
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253418610036
Salary Total: $10,906
Total Pay: $63,591

Ryan Tays is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $63,591. Union affiliation: R07.

Anthony Pham

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$40,941

Base pay: $40,941
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,941
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Santa Cruz
Middle name: T

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,339
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253268610029
Salary Total: $7,164
Total Pay: $40,941

Anthony Pham holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $40,941. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Michael Bremer

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$40,902

Base pay: $23,827
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $17,075
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $40,902
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $8,941
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253318610005
Salary Total: $9,266
Total Pay: $40,902

Michael Bremer works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Michael earned $40,902 in 2023. They are represented by R07.

Patrick Esteban

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$37,023

Base pay: $36,848
Overtime: $159
Other pay: $16
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $37,023
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Mateo
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,916
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253258610003
Salary Total: $9,212
Total Pay: $37,023

Patrick Esteban holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $37,023. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Taylor Moles

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$36,345

Base pay: $34,838
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,507
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,345
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Santa Clara
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,212
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253268610029
Salary Total: $6,337
Total Pay: $36,345

Taylor Moles holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2023, their total compensation was $36,345. They are represented by R07.

Nadya Oliver

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$36,248

Base pay: $33,775
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,474
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $36,248
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Monterey
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $5,916
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253268610039
Salary Total: $6,041
Total Pay: $36,248

Nadya Oliver is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2023 total compensation came to $36,248. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Marina Green

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$35,734

Base pay: $16,635
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $19,099
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,734
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Solano
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,091
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253478610027
Salary Total: $9,364
Total Pay: $35,734

Marina Green holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2025, their total compensation was $35,734. They are represented by R07.

Esther Witmer Sims

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$29,982

Base pay: $15,169
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $14,813
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $29,982
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Mateo
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,526
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253258610001
Salary Total: $6,852
Total Pay: $29,982

Esther Witmer Sims works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Esther earned $29,982 in 2024. They are represented by R07.

Cruz Diaz

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$28,355

Base pay: $28,355
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $28,355
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,306
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253568610034
Salary Total: $8,256
Total Pay: $28,355

At Motor Vehicles, Cruz Diaz serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $28,355. They are represented by R07.

Justin Cabuloy

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$27,478

Base pay: $23,054
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,424
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $27,478
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Mateo
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,197
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253258610007
Salary Total: $10,707
Total Pay: $27,478

Justin Cabuloy holds the role of Investigator at Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. In 2024, their total compensation was $27,478. They are represented by R07.

Richard Neves

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$24,769

Base pay: $24,769
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $24,769
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Solano
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $7,306
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253228610017
Salary Total: $8,256
Total Pay: $24,769

At Motor Vehicles, Richard Neves serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $24,769. They are represented by R07.

Ryan Bontty

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$20,326

Base pay: $19,689
Overtime: $637
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $20,326
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,039
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253318610024
Salary Total: $9,339
Total Pay: $20,326

At Motor Vehicles, Ryan Bontty serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2023 pay totaled $20,326. Union affiliation: R07.

Ivan Verdin

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$14,094

Base pay: $14,094
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $14,094
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Los Angeles
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,339
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253318610022
Salary Total: $7,047
Total Pay: $14,094

Ivan Verdin works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Ivan earned $14,094 in 2025. Their bargaining unit is R07.

Joseph Silva

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$4,845

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,845
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $4,845
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Riverside
Middle name: N

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,428
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253568610200
Salary Total: $9,528
Total Pay: $4,845

At Motor Vehicles, Joseph Silva serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $4,845. Union affiliation: R07.

Kiana De La Rosa

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2025 total comp

$3,582

Base pay: $3,582
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $3,582
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Sacramento

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $6,339
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253658610021
Salary Total: $7,164
Total Pay: $3,582

Kiana De La Rosa is a Investigator at Motor Vehicles. They work full-time. 2025 total compensation came to $3,582. Union affiliation: R07.

Robert Ames

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2024 total comp

$1,863

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,863
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $1,863
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: San Diego
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $10,197
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253618610003
Salary Total: $10,322
Total Pay: $1,863

At Motor Vehicles, Robert Ames serves as a Investigator. They work full-time. Their 2024 pay totaled $1,863. They are represented by R07.

Michael Ortega

Investigator/Motor Vehicles

2023 total comp

$1,500

Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $1,500
Employment type: Full-Time
Union / bargaining unit: R07
Work county: Orange

Source-specific fields

Base Pay: $9,428
Cs/csu: Cs
Position Number: 5253538610005
Salary Total: $9,953
Total Pay: $1,500

Michael Ortega works as a Investigator for Motor Vehicles. Their status is full-time. Michael earned $1,500 in 2023. Union affiliation: R07.