Private Detectives and Investigators Career, Salary and Skills
Private Detectives and Investigators have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $51,220 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 35,580. Wage data is published for 193 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
33-9021.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$51,220
Hourly median
$24.62
Employment
35,580
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.75 | 3.00 |
| Writing | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Active Learning | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.38 | 3.38 |
Typical tasks
- Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
- Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
- Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
- Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
- Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
Technology
- Computer imaging software
- Email software
- LexisNexis
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Web browser software
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in CAMedian $61,250 · Employment 4,190
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in FLMedian $50,640 · Employment 3,660
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in TXMedian $51,810 · Employment 3,220
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in NCMedian $52,890 · Employment 1,710
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in OHMedian $47,200 · Employment 1,560
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $61,680 · Employment 1,520
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in GAMedian $45,060 · Employment 1,460
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in ILMedian $60,210 · Employment 1,300
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in NYMedian $59,140 · Employment 1,300
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in VAMedian $56,160 · Employment 1,280
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in PAMedian $51,200 · Employment 1,220
- Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $61,460 · Employment 1,070
Related careers
- First-Line Supervisors of Security WorkersNational median $55,940
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and ClerksNational median $50,080
- Management AnalystsNational median $101,860
- CoronersNational median $80,730
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsNational median $78,000
- Financial ExaminersNational median $94,160
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsNational median $55,570
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsNational median $54,210
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.