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Private investigator: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $36,740lowest 10% earn less
- $40,70025th percentile
- $51,220median
- $73,99075th percentile
- $97,630top 10% earn more
The median private investigator earned $51,220 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +5.5%[2]
- Openings per year
- 3,200[5]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[6]
How much do private investigators make?
The official BLS category is Private Detectives and Investigators. Its median wage in May 2025 was $51,220 a year, or $24.62 an hour[1]. The median splits workers in two groups: 50% earned more and 50% earned less[1]. The mean (average) wage was $60,150 a year, or $28.92 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980, so this job sits close to the overall middle[4].
Pay varies a lot from worker to worker. Here are the annual wage percentiles[3][8]:
| Point in the range | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3] | $36,740 | |
| 25th percentile[3] | $40,700 | |
| Median[1] | $51,220 | |
| 75th percentile[3] | $73,990 | |
| 90th percentile[3] | $97,630 |
A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $36,740[3]. BLS does not publish a starting salary[8]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $17.66 and the 90th was $46.94[9].
These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, and they leave out bonuses and benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 9.8% of private investigators were self-employed in 2025[11]. BLS counted about 35,580 wage and salary jobs[12].
Pay by state and city
Oregon had the highest state median at $76,480, followed by Connecticut at $75,010 and the District of Columbia at $72,720[13]. Vermont ($67,910) and New Hampshire ($65,370) came next[13]. Mississippi had the lowest published state median at $39,060[13].
The most jobs were in California (4,190), Florida (3,660) and Texas (3,220)[14]. North Carolina (1,710) and Ohio (1,560) followed[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Memphis, TN-MS-AR had the highest median at $99,680[15]. Salem, OR ($81,070) and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($78,330) were next[15]. The metro area with the most jobs was Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with 1,520 jobs and a median of $61,680[16]. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington had 1,070 jobs[16].
Show median pay in 48 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon[13] | $76,480 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 | 400 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | n/a |
| Vermont | $67,910 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 | 280 |
| Washington | $64,080 | 750 |
| California | $61,250 | 4,190 |
| Arizona | $61,030 | 790 |
| Illinois | $60,210 | 1,300 |
| New York | $59,140 | 1,300 |
| Utah | $57,910 | 350 |
| Minnesota | $57,880 | 600 |
| Virginia | $56,160 | 1,280 |
| Delaware | $55,710 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $54,710 | 410 |
| Rhode Island | $54,620 | 60 |
| Wyoming | $54,310 | 40 |
| Alaska | $53,440 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $52,890 | 1,710 |
| Texas | $51,810 | 3,220 |
| Nebraska | $51,750 | 160 |
| South Carolina | $51,530 | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,200 | 1,220 |
| Florida | $50,640 | 3,660 |
| Massachusetts | $50,240 | 280 |
| Tennessee | $49,360 | 940 |
| Colorado | $48,730 | 540 |
| Michigan | $48,650 | 850 |
| Idaho | $47,910 | 210 |
| Arkansas | $47,750 | 370 |
| Kentucky | $47,650 | 350 |
| Montana | $47,430 | 70 |
| Ohio | $47,200 | 1,560 |
| Alabama | $46,810 | 530 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 | 170 |
| Hawaii | $45,750 | 70 |
| Kansas | $45,260 | 280 |
| Georgia | $45,060 | 1,460 |
| South Dakota | $44,840 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | 60 |
| Maine | $43,830 | 210 |
| Louisiana | $41,950 | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $41,850 | 410 |
| Indiana | $41,830 | 480 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | 590 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | n/a |
| Iowa | $41,110 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $39,680 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $39,060 | 330 |
How to become a private investigator
There is no single route. BLS lists the typical entry education as a high school diploma or equivalent[6]. Some employers ask for a bachelor's degree instead[17]. In an O*NET survey of 30 workers, 38% said a bachelor's degree was required, and 25% said a high school diploma or equivalent[18]. Because the survey is small, treat these shares as a rough picture only.
- First, finish high school or the equivalent. Consider a degree if the employers you want ask for one[6][17].
- Second, gain related work experience. BLS puts the typical experience at less than 5 years[6]. People come from law enforcement, the military or federal intelligence[19]. Others come from jobs such as claims adjuster, paralegal or security guard[20].
- Third, check your state's license rules. Most states require a license, and age, experience and other requirements are set by the state and locality[21]. A driver's license may also be needed, depending on the position[21].
- Fourth, complete on-the-job training. BLS rates it as moderate-term[6]. It often lasts several months or longer[22]. Extra training depends on the position, such as remote surveillance, accident scene reconstruction or fraud investigation[23].
- Fifth, you can earn a professional certification in a particular area of investigation work[24].
The facts do not give a total time to qualify. Qualities BLS names for the job include attention to detail, communication, decision-making and persistence in asking questions[25][26][27][28].
What private investigators do
O*NET describes the job as gathering, analyzing and reporting information about people or organizations for clients[29]. Typical tasks include:
- Writing reports or case summaries that document investigations[30]
- Searching databases, public records and other sources to locate people[30]
- Running background checks, such as pre-employment checks[30]
- Looking into fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds[30]
- Questioning people to gather evidence for cases such as divorce or missing persons[30]
- Watching and recording activities with cameras to document unlawful acts[30]
- Testifying at hearings or trials to present evidence[30]
- Working with security staff, police or other officials to share information[30]
Workers in the O*NET survey report titles such as field investigator, loss prevention agent and asset protection detective[31].
Where they work
Retail trade was the largest employer in 2025, with 34% of jobs[32]. Work settings depend on the case. Some investigators spend time in offices researching, some work in the field on surveillance, and others work in stores watching customers[33]. They may also work outside or in a vehicle, whatever the weather[34].
Investigators often work alone, though some team up for surveillance or large, complex assignments[35]. BLS says most work full time. Schedules can include early mornings, nights and weekends, especially for surveillance or for contacting people outside business hours[36].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 39,500 to 41,700 jobs, a gain of 2,200[2]. That compares with 3.5% growth for all occupations[37]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].
BLS expects about 3,200 openings a year on average[5]. Openings also come from workers who retire or switch occupations, so they are not all new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.5% of workers leave the labor force and 4.9% move to a different occupation[38].
Is it a good fit?
Pay is near the all-occupations median, with a wide spread from $36,740 at the 10th percentile to $97,630 at the 90th[3][4]. Location matters, since state medians range from $39,060 to $76,480[13]. The entry bar on paper is a high school diploma, but related experience and a state license are part of the picture[6][21]. Growth is faster than the all-occupations rate, and openings run at about 3,200 a year[2][37][5]. The work can involve time outdoors and schedules that vary[34][36].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a private investigator make an hour?
- The median was $24.62 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $17.66 and the 90th was $46.94[9].
- What degree do you need to be a private investigator?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6]. Some employers require a bachelor's degree[17].
- Do you need a license to be a private investigator?
- Most states require one[21]. Check your state and locality for age, experience and other requirements[21].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in the US was $51,220 per year and $24.62 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Private Detectives and Investigators is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 39,500 to 41,700 jobs (a change of +2,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Private Detectives and Investigators: 10th percentile $36,740, 25th percentile $40,700, 75th percentile $73,990, 90th percentile $97,630. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 3,200 openings for Private Detectives and Investigators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Private Detectives and Investigators: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Private Detectives and Investigators was $60,150 per year and $28.92 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Private Detectives and Investigators: 10th percentile $17.66, 25th percentile $19.57, 75th percentile $35.57, 90th percentile $46.94. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 9.8% of Private Detectives and Investigators were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 35,580 people were employed as Private Detectives and Investigators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Private Detectives and Investigators jobs: California 4,190; Florida 3,660; Texas 3,220; North Carolina 1,710; Ohio 1,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Private Detectives and Investigators (areas with at least 100 jobs): Memphis, TN-MS-AR $99,680; Salem, OR $81,070; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $78,330; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $77,540; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $75,670; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $73,430; Manchester-Nashua, NH $70,780; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $70,220. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Private Detectives and Investigators jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,520 (median $61,680); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,070 (median $61,460); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,040 (median $59,140); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,030 (median $54,720); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 980 (median $45,080); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 970 (median $68,310). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 33-9021.00 survey of workers (30 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 38%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 25%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 16%, Some College Courses 12% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Private Detectives and Investigators. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Private Detectives and Investigators. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 33-9021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Asset Protection Detective, Field Investigator, Investigator, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Associate, Loss Prevention Detective, Loss Prevention Investigator, Loss Prevention Officer. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of private detectives and investigators in 2025: Retail trade 34%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Private Detectives and Investigators: 2.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.9% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the 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. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.