How to become a Private Detective or Investigator

Official title: Private Detectives and Investigators

Also called: Asset Protection Detective, Field Investigator, Investigator, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Associate, Loss Prevention Detective, Loss Prevention Investigator, Loss Prevention Officer, Private Investigator, Special Investigator

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.

Main tasks

• Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
• Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
• Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
• Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
• Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
• Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
• Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
• Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.

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.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Investigator, Private.
• College: Law & Justice degrees, Offered by 29 universities in the US
• College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
• Licence: A licence is required in 35 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $51,220 a year The middle half earn $40,700 to $73,990.
• About 39,500 people work in this job now, and about 41,700 are projected by 2035. (+5.5%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

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Questions people ask

How do I 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.

How much does a Private Detective or Investigator earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $51,220 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $40,700 to $73,990.

Is a Private Detective or Investigator a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 39,500 to about 41,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Private Detective or Investigator?

Not always. 56% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Law & Justice degrees; Business & Commerce degrees; Investigator, Private.

Will AI change the work of a Private Detective or Investigator?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.