The median pay for Private Detectives and Investigators is $51,220 a year ($24.62/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% through 2035, with about 3,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 33-9021
- Protective Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Private Detective and Investigator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $51,220a year, or $24.62/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $98K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.5%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,20039,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202539.5K
- Projected 203541.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 39.5K Projected 2035 41.7K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school25.1%
- Certificate4.3%
- Some college12.1%
- Associate's16.4%
- Bachelor's37.7%
- Post-bacc certificate4.5%
Highest education held by private detectives and investigators Segment Value High school 25.1% Certificate 4.3% Some college 12.1% Associate's 16.4% Bachelor's 37.7% Post-bacc certificate 4.5%
Also advertised as: Asset Protection Detective, Field Investigator, Investigator, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Associate, Loss Prevention Detective.
Pay
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make?
Every private detective and investigator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$51,220
Middle half earn $40,700 to $73,990
- 10th
- $36,740
- 25th
- $40,700
- 75th
- $73,990
- 90th
- $97,630
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,740 |
| 25th | $40,700 |
| Median | $51,220 |
| 75th | $73,990 |
| 90th | $97,630 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $51,220
- Median hourly wage
- $24.62/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $60,150
- People employed
- 35,580
Versus all US occupations
At $51,220, the median for Private Detectives and Investigators sits in line with the $50,980 median across all US occupations.
Versus protective service occupations
Inside the Protective Service group, where the middle occupation pays $74,060, this is 31% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $97,630 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,740, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 24% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Oregon pays the most at $76,480, and still leads at $73,993 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Private Detectives and Investigators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Oregon | $76,480 | $73,993 | 610 |
| 2Connecticut | $75,010 | $72,396 | 400 |
| 3District of Columbia | $72,720 | $66,169 | N/A |
| 4Vermont | $67,910 | $69,326 | 90 |
| 5New Hampshire | $65,370 | $62,756 | 280 |
| 6Washington | $64,080 | $59,881 | 750 |
| 7California | $61,250 | $55,320 | 4,190 |
| 8Arizona | $61,030 | $60,620 | 790 |
| 9Illinois | $60,210 | $60,235 | 1,300 |
| 10New York | $59,140 | $54,799 | 1,300 |
Job outlook
Is Private Detective and Investigator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Private Detectives and Investigators | +5.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Private Detectives and Investigators to change 5.5% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,200 openings are projected each year, 8.1% of the 39,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Continued lawsuits, fraud and other crimes, and interpersonal mistrust are expected to create demand for investigative services. In addition, background checks will continue to be a source of work for some investigators, as online investigations are not always sufficient.
Getting in
How to become a Private Detective and Investigator
Private detectives and investigators typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent and several years of work experience in a related occupation. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a college degree. Most states require private detectives and investigators to be licensed.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as private detectives and investigators.
- Bachelor's Degree37.7%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)25.1%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree16.4%
- Some College Courses12.1%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 37.7% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 25.1% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 16.4% |
| Some College Courses | 12.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Private Detective and Investigator do?
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.
Private detectives and investigators gather, analyze, and report information to clients regarding legal or personal matters. Their services include verifying people’s backgrounds, finding missing persons, and investigating crimes.
Day-to-day tasks
- Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
- Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
- Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
- Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
- Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most private detectives and investigators work full time. Their schedules may vary to include early mornings, nights, and weekends, especially when they conduct surveillance or contact people outside of normal business hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where private detectives and investigators work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Retail trade34%
- Administrative and support services18%
- Finance and insurance11%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals8%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Retail trade | 34% |
| Administrative and support services | 18% |
| Finance and insurance | 11% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 8% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.1
- Speaking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Writing3.6
- Active Learning3.4
- Monitoring3.4
- Learning Strategies2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.6 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Coordination3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Persuasion2.9
- Negotiation2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
| Negotiation | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Private Detective and Investigator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Private Detective and Investigator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional5.5
- Enterprising4.1
- Investigative3.9
- Social2.9
- Realistic2.4
- Artistic1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Private Detective and Investigator
O*NET related occupations
- Protective Service
- Business and Financial Operations
- Protective Service
- Protective Service
Police Identification and Records Officer
$93,790median a year
Most earn $55K to $161K
+0.2%High school - Protective Service
- Protective Service
More protective service careers
Median annual pay, with private detectives and investigators highlighted
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$93,790
- Intelligence Analyst$93,790
- Police Identification and Records Officer$93,790
- Police Officer$76,210
- Custom and Border Protection Officer$76,210
- Firefighter$59,280
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$58,940
- Private Detective and Investigator$51,220
- Security Guard$38,020
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Detective and Criminal Investigator | $93,790 |
| Intelligence Analyst | $93,790 |
| Police Identification and Records Officer | $93,790 |
| Police Officer | $76,210 |
| Custom and Border Protection Officer | $76,210 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 |
| Correctional Officer and Jailer | $58,940 |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 |
| Security Guard | $38,020 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within private detective and investigator
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Private Detective and Investigator appears on
Questions
Private Detective and Investigator: frequently asked questions
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make?
Private Detectives and Investigators earn a median of $51,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), close to the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $24.62/hr. The middle half earn between $40,700 and $73,990. The top 10% earn $97,630 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Private Detective and Investigator?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Private Detectives and Investigators. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 37.7% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Private Detective and Investigator a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Private Detective and Investigator do?
Private detectives and investigators gather, analyze, and report information to clients regarding legal or personal matters. A core O*NET task: write reports or case summaries to document investigations. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Private Detectives and Investigators the most?
The highest state medians for Private Detectives and Investigators are Oregon ($76,480), Connecticut ($75,010), District of Columbia ($72,720) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Private Detective and Investigator?
O*NET scores Private Detectives and Investigators highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.