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
SOC: 33-9021 O*NET: 33-9021.00
Median Salary
$52,370
per year
Job Growth
📈 6%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Private Detectives and Investigators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,250
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,940
25th percentile
Median
$52,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$75,310
75th percentile
Top Earners
$98,770
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,250
25th
$41,940
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$52,370
Mean: $61,680
75th
$75,310
90th
$98,770
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $61,520 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,940 and $75,310
- •Salary spread is 63.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 38,700 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:43,600
Top Industries
Retail Trade36.9%
General Merchandise Retailers33.7%
Administrative and Support Services21%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+6%
Annual Openings:3,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)43,600
Current
2034 (Projected)46,200
+6%
+2,600
Employment Change
+6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Private Detectives and Investigators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
5,260 jobs$60,2101.16x
Florida
3,780 jobs$48,8801.53x
Texas
3,440 jobs$48,0700.99x
New York
1,850 jobs$59,8400.77x
Illinois
1,770 jobs$73,0701.16x
Pennsylvania
1,550 jobs$51,2201.03x
North Carolina
1,370 jobs$55,1901.12x
Ohio
1,360 jobs$50,0600.98x
Georgia
1,340 jobs$44,5901.10x
Arizona
980 jobs$64,9601.22x
Michigan
980 jobs$49,7000.89x
Minnesota
940 jobs$72,0701.29x
Virginia
900 jobs$48,7400.89x
Louisiana
890 jobs$43,3901.85x
Washington
840 jobs$65,3700.94x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers100%
5 shared skills
Urologists100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Private Detectives and Investigators
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Training & Development (1)
1
Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Alert appropriate personnel to suspects' locations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Perform undercover operations, such as evaluating the performance or honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Investigate companies' financial standings, or locate funds stolen by embezzlers, using accounting skills.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Private Detectives and Investigators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Private Detectives and Investigators professionals typically have a CEI Holland code and highly value achievement
CConventional
EEnterprising
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Private Detectives and Investigators
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.92
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.67
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.58
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.36
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.35
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.9
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.6
Initiative
4.4
Independence
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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