# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/private-detectives-and-investigators
- SOC code: 33-9021.00
- Career family: Protective service
- Median annual pay: $51,220 (10th percentile $36,740, 90th percentile $97,630)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.5%
- Openings a year: 3,200
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CEI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 23 |
| Investigative (I) | 48 |
| Artistic (A) | 7 |
| Social (S) | 31 |
| Enterprising (E) | 51 |
| Conventional (C) | 74 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 94/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 90/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 88/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 84/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 83/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 77/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 76/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 75/100)

## 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

## 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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Criminal Justice and Corrections](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4301) (CIP 4301, 1,742 colleges)
- [Security Science and Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4304) (CIP 4304, 513 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Calumet College of Saint Joseph](https://www.collegesref.com/college/calumet-college-of-saint-joseph-380) | Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,078 | $106,465 | $20,417 |
| [Champlain College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/champlain-college-508) | Security Science and Technology | $68,425 | $101,401 | $28,520 |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-prescott-909) | Security Science and Technology | $58,252 | $98,996 | $20,500 |
| [Florida State University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-state-university-main-campus-985) | Security Science and Technology | $60,178 | $93,841 | $15,125 |
| [Robert Morris University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/robert-morris-university-2246) | Security Science and Technology | $64,104 | $90,206 | $26,000 |
| [National University-California](https://www.collegesref.com/college/national-university-california-1825) | Criminal Justice and Corrections | $66,056 | $81,299 | $25,000 |
| [Fisher College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/fisher-college-957) | Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,983 | $80,136 | $26,875 |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,080 | $80,070 | $19,500 |

## Related careers

- [Detectives and Criminal Investigators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/detectives-and-criminal-investigators): $93,790 median pay
- [Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fraud-examiners-investigators-and-analysts): $81,100 median pay
- [Intelligence Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/intelligence-analysts): $93,790 median pay
- [Police Identification and Records Officers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/police-identification-and-records-officers): $93,790 median pay
- [Retail Loss Prevention Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/retail-loss-prevention-specialists): $42,540 median pay
- [Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/police-and-sheriffs-patrol-officers): $76,210 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.