SOC 33-9021.00Bright outlook

    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.

    Median pay
    $51,220
    Growth
    +5.5%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    3,200
    Typical education
    High school diploma

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $36,740
    Median
    $51,220
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $97,630
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    35,580 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Private detectives and investigators gather, analyze, and report information for clients or identify rule violations in businesses. The career offers a median annual pay of $51,220, with top earners making more than $97,630.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What private detectives and investigators do

    Job Zone 3: Medium preparation

    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.

    Usually vocational training, an associate degree or related experience.

    What the work is like

    These professionals spend their days collecting information, identifying events, and documenting their findings. They analyze data to solve complex problems and evaluate information to ensure compliance with standards. Day-to-day tasks require working with computers, updating relevant knowledge, and communicating with supervisors, peers, and external clients.

    Success in this field relies on strong active listening, critical thinking, and social perceptiveness. Investigators must be skilled in writing and speaking to present their findings clearly. They need a solid understanding of the English language, law and government, public safety, and customer service. This career strongly appeals to individuals with conventional interests who value order and detail. Key work styles include integrity, dependability, perseverance, and high stress tolerance, which help investigators handle sensitive cases confidently.

    How to get there

    Entering this field typically requires a high school diploma, though the career generally demands a medium level of preparation. Many people prepare through vocational training, an associate degree, or related work experience. Students interested in this path often major in criminal justice and corrections or security science and technology.

    While not universally required, some states list a license for this work. Professionals can also earn voluntary certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Examples of these credentials include the Certified Protection Officer, the National Basic Crime Scene Investigator, and the Professional Security Officer Program. These certifications help candidates build the necessary skills in public safety, administration, and psychology.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for private detectives and investigators is $51,220. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $36,740 and the highest 10% earning more than $97,630.

    There are 35,580 people employed in this field. Employment is projected to grow by 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 3,200 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    23 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    48 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    7 / 100
    Social (S)
    31 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    51 / 100
    Conventional (C) · strongest
    74 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code CEI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Getting Information
    94
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    90
    Documenting/Recording Information
    88
    Working with Computers
    84
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    83
    Analyzing Data or Information
    78
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    78
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    77
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    76
    Communicating with People Outside the Organization
    75
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Writing
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Monitoring

    Knowledge

    • English Language
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Law and Government
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Administrative
    • Administration and Management
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Psychology
    • Communications and Media
    • Education and Training

    Abilities

    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Written Comprehension
    • Written Expression
    • Speech Clarity
    • Speech Recognition

    Work styles

    • Integrity
    • Dependability
    • Attention to Detail
    • Self-Control
    • Perseverance
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Self-Confidence
    • Initiative
    • Intellectual Curiosity

    Also called

    Alarm Investigator · AML Investigator (Anti Money Laundering Investigator) · Asset Protection Detective · Background Investigator · Bonding Agent · BSA Investigator (Bank Secrecy Act Investigator) · Case Investigator · Cash Shortage Investigator · Certified Legal Investigator · Contract Investigator

    Career pathway

    From your interests to private detectives and investigators

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Private Detectives and Investigators$51,220 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Calumet College of Saint Joseph logo
      Calumet College of Saint Joseph

      Whiting, IN · Criminal Justice and Corrections · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $54,078
      4 yrs after
      $106,465
      Median debt
      $20,417
    2. 2Champlain College logo
      Champlain College

      Burlington, VT · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $68,425
      4 yrs after
      $101,401
      Median debt
      $28,520
    3. 3
      Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

      Prescott, AZ · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $58,252
      4 yrs after
      $98,996
      Median debt
      $20,500
    4. 4Florida State University-Main Campus logo
      Florida State University-Main Campus

      Tallahassee, FL · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $60,178
      4 yrs after
      $93,841
      Median debt
      $15,125
    5. 5Robert Morris University logo
      Robert Morris University

      Moon Township, PA · Security Science and Technology · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $64,104
      4 yrs after
      $90,206
      Median debt
      $26,000
    6. 6National University-California logo
      National University-California

      La Jolla, CA · Criminal Justice and Corrections · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $66,056
      4 yrs after
      $81,299
      Median debt
      $25,000
    7. 7Fisher College logo
      Fisher College

      Boston, MA · Criminal Justice and Corrections · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $48,983
      4 yrs after
      $80,136
      Median debt
      $26,875
    8. 8
      George Washington University

      Washington, DC · Criminal Justice and Corrections · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $54,080
      4 yrs after
      $80,070
      Median debt
      $19,500

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What private detectives and investigators may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Criminal Justice/Police Science
    • Cultural/Archaelogical Resources Protection
    • Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
    • Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
    • Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
    • Maritime Law Enforcement
    • Protective Services Operations

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    39 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about private detectives and investigators

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for private detectives and investigators?

    People in this field are also called asset protection detectives, background investigators, and case investigators. Others work under titles like contract investigator, cash shortage investigator, or anti-money laundering investigator.

    What college majors are most relevant to this career?

    Students preparing for this career often choose majors in criminal justice and corrections. Another highly relevant field of study is security science and technology.

    Is a license required to work as a private investigator?

    Licensing requirements vary depending on where you live, as some states list a license for this work. It is important to research the specific regulations in your local area before pursuing employment.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.