Private Detectives and Investigators
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 120 | $66,040 | $31.75 | |
| Alaska | 80 | $66,550 | $32.00 | |
| Arizona | 700 | $51,140 | $24.59 | |
| Arkansas | 170 | $81,280 | $39.08 | |
| California | 3,610 | $65,160 | $31.33 | |
| Colorado | 360 | $85,160 | $40.94 | |
| Connecticut | 380 | $67,000 | $32.21 | |
| Delaware | 40 | $55,060 | $26.47 | |
| Florida | 2,630 | $59,350 | $28.53 | |
| Georgia | 1,020 | $56,430 | $27.13 | |
| Hawaii | 50 | $55,060 | $26.47 | |
| Idaho | 110 | $54,640 | $26.27 | |
| Illinois | 1,560 | $70,310 | $33.80 | |
| Indiana | 390 | $50,500 | $24.28 | |
| Iowa | 70 | $58,460 | $28.10 | |
| Kansas | 120 | $56,290 | $27.06 | |
| Kentucky | 360 | $51,110 | $24.57 | |
| Louisiana | 660 | $50,790 | $24.42 | |
| Maine | 110 | $54,580 | $26.24 | |
| Maryland | 850 | $56,250 | $27.04 | |
| Massachusetts | 290 | $62,540 | $30.07 | |
| Michigan | 990 | $57,450 | $27.62 | |
| Minnesota | 340 | $66,810 | $32.12 | |
| Mississippi | 140 | $44,270 | $21.29 | |
| Missouri | 260 | $67,470 | $32.44 | |
| Montana | 70 | $60,020 | $28.86 | |
| Nebraska | 70 | $72,300 | $34.76 | |
| Nevada | 100 | $74,860 | $35.99 | |
| New Hampshire | 200 | $72,530 | $34.87 | |
| New Jersey | 680 | $57,820 | $27.80 | |
| New Mexico | 70 | $62,280 | $29.94 | |
| New York | 1,110 | $66,680 | $32.06 | |
| North Carolina | 1,080 | $64,920 | $31.21 | |
| Ohio | 1,690 | $50,510 | $24.28 | |
| Oklahoma | 190 | $45,670 | $21.96 | |
| Oregon | 400 | $78,480 | $37.73 | |
| Pennsylvania | 2,180 | $50,740 | $24.40 | |
| Rhode Island | 210 | $64,310 | $30.92 | |
| South Carolina | 210 | $51,820 | $24.91 | |
| South Dakota | 50 | $54,390 | $26.15 | |
| Tennessee | 400 | $57,970 | $27.87 | |
| Texas | 2,360 | $57,910 | $27.84 | |
| Utah | 130 | $66,830 | $32.13 | |
| Virginia | 1,500 | $75,800 | $36.44 | |
| Washington | 530 | $69,990 | $33.65 | |
| West Virginia | 60 | $54,150 | $26.04 | |
| Wisconsin | 120 | $51,900 | $24.95 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to perform the duties of police and public security officers, including patrol and investigative activities, traffic control, crowd control and public relations, witness interviewing, evidence collection and management, basic crime prevention methods, weapon and equipment operation and maintenance, report preparation and other routine law enforcement responsibilities.
A program focusing on the principles and techniques of providing physical security protection to clients in various environments and situations. Includes instruction in security intelligence and information resources, operations planning and surveying, operations security, weapons and explosives, defense and offense techniques, security and surveillance systems, communications systems, perimeter and access control, weapons of mass destruction, contingency planning, crowd control, cover and evacuation, combat and vehicle techniques, and applicable legal and administrative responsibilities.
A program focusing on the principles and techniques used to identify, search, seize and analyze digital media and to conduct cyber investigations against criminal and terrorist activity. Includes instruction in computer boot processes and drives, jumper setting, file access and reconstruction, hacking, network systems, cryptography, programming, investigative techniques, forensic imagery, web-based investigation methods, cyberterrorism, and applicable laws and administrative procedures.
A program focusing on the principles and techniques of conducting investigations into financial crime, terrorist activity, and the analysis and use of accounting data as evidence. Includes instruction in the principles of accounting, investigative auditing, computer investigations, accounting system documents and software, business corruption, criminal and terrorist financial networks, international money markets and movement, net worth analysis, financial fraud, exposing concealed assets, records seizure, fraud and money laundering statutes, fraud case initiation, case management, and case presentation.
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$60,970 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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High school diploma or equivalentTypical education requirement
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Less than 5 yearsTypical experience requirement
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Moderate-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as private detectives and investigators.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 12%
- College dropout 20%
- Associate’s degree 11%
- Bachelor’s degree 38%
- Master’s degree 14%
- Doctorate degree 4%
Similar Careers
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Detectives and Criminal Investigators$90,370 per year Average salaryDecliningJob growth rate