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Private Investigators

Employment Prospects

Employers

Private investigators work full time or as consultants for private investigation and detective agencies. They may also work as independent contractors for law firms, financial institutions, insurance companies, corporations, government agencies, and police departments. There are 33,000 private investigators and detectives employed in the United States, and more than one-third work in the investigation and security services industries. Approximately 6 percent of private investigators are self-employed.

Starting Out

Some investigators get their start as interns in private investigation agencies. There is usually on-the-job training and they advance their knowledge and skills by taking educational programs through professional associations. Recent retirees from jobs in law enforcement or in the military often start a second career as private investigators.