Private Investigator Training and Jobs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Part-Time and Self Employment
Government statistics report that 11% of private investigators are employed part-time. Workers who work for themselves total about 30%.
Career Videos
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.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $66,000 | 70 | +12% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $39,000 | 410 | +82% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $52,000 | 1,760 | +240% |
| Oakland | $73,000 | 60 | -53% |
| Riverside | $67,000 | 60 | -61% |
| Sacramento | $62,000 | 320 | +190% |
| San Diego | $70,000 | 110 | -34% |
| San Francisco | $69,000 | 140 | +11% |
| San Jose | $66,000 | 80 | -30% |
| Santa Ana | $74,000 | 270 | +45% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $36,000 | 30 | -4% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | 110 | +51% | |
| Norwich | $36,000 | 70 | +376% |
| Waterbury | $31,000 | 40 | +415% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $62,000 | 1,580 | +408% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $36,000 | 30 | +61% |
| Lakeland | $36,000 | 40 | +73% |
| Miami | $48,000 | 140 | +12% |
| Orlando | $45,000 | 250 | +93% |
| Sarasota | $48,000 | 130 | +325% |
| Tallahassee | $37,000 | 80 | +307% |
| Tampa | $42,000 | 600 | +311% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $35,000 | 1,030 | +248% |
| Columbus | $48,000 | 60 | +356% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $38,000 | 680 | +41% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $43,000 | 680 | +496% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $58,000 | 40 | -3% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $45,000 | 40 | -48% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | $39,000 | 50 | +189% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $49,000 | 530 | +216% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $55,000 | 90 | +6% |
| Grand Rapids | $35,000 | 60 | +26% |
| Warren | $55,000 | 70 | -49% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $52,000 | 80 | -38% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | $59,000 | 30 | +1009% |
| Las Vegas | $47,000 | 140 | +29% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edison | $66,000 | 90 | -31% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $47,000 | 60 | +23% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau | $50,000 | 150 | -7% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | $62,000 | 160 | +47% |
| Raleigh | $46,000 | 150 | +129% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $53,000 | 80 | +98% |
| Cleveland | $44,000 | 100 | -23% |
| Columbus | $53,000 | 170 | +45% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 180 | +145% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $39,000 | 150 | +15% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $46,000 | 120 | +175% |
| Harrisburg | $59,000 | 90 | +124% |
| Philadelphia | $49,000 | 700 | +186% |
| Pittsburgh | $37,000 | 830 | +467% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $58,000 | 50 | -29% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $34,000 | 30 | -32% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $24,000 | 50 | +196% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | 110 | +162% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | 100 | 0% | |
| El Paso | 30 | -12% | |
| Houston | $52,000 | 110 | -67% |
| San Antonio | $58,000 | 130 | +17% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $35,000 | 420 | +437% |
| Virginia Beach | $38,000 | 60 | -38% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $61,000 | 140 | -22% |