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Private Investigators Job Overview

Private investigators help individuals, lawyers and business find and analyze various kinds of information. They untangle facts regarding personal, financial and legal issues. They also look into matters like executive and celebrity protection, as well as investigation of individual background profiles and employee verification. They may also investigate computer related crimes and assist in premarital screening, civil and missing person cases.

Private Investigators Schools and Degrees

A bachelor’s degree is important in order to become a private investigator. Courses in police science and criminal justice are also helpful. Those investigating corporate problems would be helped by a business administration degree and a degree in law. For investigations related to computer forensics, studies in computer science or accounting are also helpful. Universities and colleges have certificate, bachelors and masters programs in computer forensics.

Job Requirements

A private investigator needs to undergo extensive training. These training sessions teach one how to gather information by using databases. The learning also depends a lot on the kind of firm an investigator works in. On-the-job training is a common approach regarding cases of frauds pertaining to insurance or domestic cases. Corporate investigators may need to receive training in the management structure, finance and other business practices.

The specifications for licensure vary from state to state. Private investigators usually need to clear a background check regarding their own criminal history. Investigators also need to have permits to carry firearms. They have to pass a written examination on different kinds of laws and regulations. Certifications also act as testimonies to an investigator’s capability. The National Association of Legal Investigators confers certifications.

Most private investigators enter the profession after a career in defense, government auditing, federal intelligence or law enforcement. To excel in this field, one needs to be persistent and assertive. Quick thinking is essential, as are skills of interrogation and communication.

Nature of Work

Investigators conduct physical surveillance by observing and recording important clues by taking photos or videos. Their duties may vary according to the needs of the client.

Private investigators may work in comfortable offices while conducting computer research and investigations over the phone. However, depending on the nature of the case, their job also demands them to be on their feet in order to investigate. Sometimes, investigators work alone, but they may also be required to operate in a team.

Private investigators Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, private investigators held about 52,000 jobs in the US. Employment is the highest in the following industries:

• Department Stores
• Investigation and Security Services
• Legal Services
• Local Government (OES Designation)
• Other General Merchandise Stores

The mean hourly wage for private investigators in the US is about $20.51, while the mean annual wage is around $42,660.

Job Numbers and Growth

If you add up all the private investigators in the country you get a total of about 52,000. There has been a high unemployment rate for workers. An unfortunate 5% of employees were without jobs in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Private investigators appear most common in Kingsport (Tennessee), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), and Houma (Louisiana), and least common in Memphis (Tennessee), Rochester (New York), and Nashville (Tennessee).

Riverside (California), Oakland (California), and Edison (New Jersey) offer the highest pay. Rochester (New York), Nashville (Tennessee), and Jacksonville (Florida) offer the lowest salaries.

Training and Education

Work experience in a related occupation is often necessary for working in the field. About 52% of private investigators have earned a degree. Some college, below a 4-year degree, is sufficient for 30% of workers. Employees with only a high school education represent about 18% of all. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Government statistics report that 11% of private investigators are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 30%.

Private Investigators by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Iowa

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Michigan

Missouri

Nevada

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Washington