Salary Range
$25,000 to $100,000Overview
Private investigators provide investigative services for clients who may be individuals or businesses. They help solve crimes and provide information for law cases by searching for information on legal, financial, and personal matters. Depending on their specialty, they offer services such as verifying people's backgrounds and their statements, locating missing persons, and investigating computer crimes. They may go undercover to conduct surveillance and gather information. Types of private investigators include computer forensics investigators, legal investigators, corporate investigators, and financial investigators. According to the Department of Labor, there were 33,000 private investigators and detectives working in the United States in May 2018. The private detective industry generates $7 billion in revenue, has experienced steady growth the past few years, and is expected to continue performing strongly the next few years.
Minimum Education Level
High School DiplomaCertification/License
RequiredOutlook
Faster than the AveragePersonality Traits
Curious
Organized
Problem-Solving
Career Ladder
Private Investigator Manager
Private Investigator
Intern
Related Professions
- Airport Security Personnel
- Armored Truck Drivers
- Bodyguards
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Cryptographic Technicians
- Cybersecurity Architects
- Directors of Security
- Fire Inspectors
- Fire Investigators
- Forensic Experts
- Internet Security Specialists
- Locksmiths
- Personal Privacy Advisors
- Secret Service Special Agents
- Security Consultants
- Security Guards
- Security Systems Installers and Workers