Private Detectives and Investigators
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Also called: Alarm Investigator, AML Investigator (Anti Money Laundering Investigator), Asset Protection Detective, Background Investigator, Bonding Agent, BSA Investigator (Bank Secrecy Act Investigator)
Median pay
$51,220
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,740 – $97,630
People employed
35,580
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 2.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 5.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 6.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Private Detectives and Investigators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in every state →
What private detectives and investigators do
- 01Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- 02Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- 03Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- 04Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
- 05Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
- 06Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Achievement Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from private detectives and investigators
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators88% · +83%
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts85% · group pay
- Compliance Officers85% · +58%
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants84% · +23%
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants83% · +8%
Change into private detectives and investigators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts87% · $81,100
- Customs and Border Protection Officers86% · $76,210
- Intelligence Analysts85% · $93,790
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants83% · $55,570
- Police Identification and Records Officers83% · $93,790
Majors that lead here
- Criminal Justice/Police Science
- Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
- Protective Services Operations
- Maritime Law Enforcement
- Cultural/Archaelogical Resources Protection
- Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
- Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.