Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Private detectives and investigators typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent and several years of related work experience. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Most states require private detectives and investigators to be licensed. PayThe median annual wage for private detectives and investigators was $51,220 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,200 openings for private detectives and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for private detectives and investigators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of private detectives and investigators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about private detectives and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for private detectives and investigators was $51,220 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,200 openings for private detectives and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for private detectives and investigators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of private detectives and investigators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about private detectives and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,200 openings for private detectives and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for private detectives and investigators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of private detectives and investigators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about private detectives and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Private detectives and investigators gather, analyze, and report information to clients regarding legal or personal matters.
Work Environment
Private detectives’ and investigators’ work settings may depend on their assignment or case. For example, they may spend time in offices to research cases, or they may work in the field while doing surveillance. Most work full time, and schedules may vary to include early mornings, nights, and weekends.
How to Become a Private Detective or Investigator
Private detectives and investigators typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent and several years of related work experience. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Most states require private detectives and investigators to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for private detectives and investigators was $51,220 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 3,200 openings for private detectives and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for private detectives and investigators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of private detectives and investigators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about private detectives and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Private detectives’ and investigators’ work settings may depend on their assignment or case. For example, they may spend time in offices to research cases, or they may work in the field while doing surveillance. Most work full time, and schedules may vary to include early mornings, nights, and weekends.
How to Become a Private Detective or Investigator
Private detectives and investigators typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent and several years of related work experience. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree. Most states require private detectives and investigators to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for private detectives and investigators was $51,220 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 3,200 openings for private detectives and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for private detectives and investigators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of private detectives and investigators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about private detectives and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for private detectives and investigators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of private detectives and investigators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about private detectives and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about private detectives and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.