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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.

Watch this work See majors and colleges
Other titles employers use

Asset Protection Detective · Field Investigator · Investigator · Loss Prevention Agent · Loss Prevention Associate · Loss Prevention Detective · Loss Prevention Investigator · Loss Prevention Officer

Inside the work

What you would actually do.

6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.

  • 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.

Who it suits

Would this work hold your attention?

This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, persuading and analytical work.

Organizing
Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Persuading
Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Analytical
Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems

Skills and strengths

What you would get good at.

Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.

Core skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Writing

Subjects to know

  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Law and Government
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Administrative

Useful strengths

  • Inductive Reasoning
  • Oral Comprehension
  • Oral Expression
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Near Vision

Working day

Picture yourself doing it.

These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.

How this job scores on four measures of working conditions, out of five
MeasureOut of 5What that means here
Close to other people3.0 Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder
On your feet1.9 Mostly seated
Talking face to face4.2 A regular part of the day
Working with your hands2.7 Little of the day

Preparation

How people prepare for this work.

Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.

  • A four-year degree 38%
  • High school or less 25%
  • A two-year degree 16%
  • A certificate or some college 16%
  • A master's degree 5%

Tools of the work

Technology you may use.

  • Electronic mail software
  • Web page creation and editing software
  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Office suite software
  • Presentation software
  • Operating system software
  • Word processing software

Opportunity near you

See where this work is growing.

Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.

Selected stateCalifornia
People doing this work
5,500
Job openings each year
520
Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
10.0%
Compare every available state
State People doing it Job openings each year Expected change
California 5,500 520 10.0%
Florida 5,180 500 13.6%
Washington 4,890 640 34.0%
Texas 3,390 340 24.6%
Illinois 1,970 180 3.7%
Virginia 1,830 170 6.4%
Ohio 1,790 170 4.7%
Pennsylvania 1,680 160 5.7%
New York 1,570 10 7.5%
Arizona 1,260 130 18.9%
Georgia 1,190 120 13.3%
Michigan 1,130 100 —
New Jersey 1,110 110 5.7%
Minnesota 1,010 100 6.3%
North Carolina 940 90 13.3%
Maryland 820 80 6.5%
Missouri 820 80 6.5%
Tennessee 820 80 12.3%
Colorado 700 70 14.8%
Utah 600 60 25.0%
Louisiana 590 60 3.5%
Oregon 520 50 10.6%
Indiana 500 50 6.4%
Connecticut 480 50 9.1%
Nevada 470 50 20.5%
Alabama 410 40 7.9%
Wisconsin 360 30 9.1%
Oklahoma 350 30 9.4%
Arkansas 340 30 13.3%
Maine 330 30 3.1%
Rhode Island 300 30 7.1%
Kentucky 290 30 7.4%
Massachusetts 270 30 12.5%
South Carolina 270 30 12.5%
New Hampshire 250 20 8.7%
New Mexico 190 20 11.8%
Iowa 160 20 14.3%
Kansas 130 10 —
Nebraska 110 10 10.0%
Idaho 90 10 12.5%
Puerto Rico 90 10 12.5%
Montana 80 10 14.3%
West Virginia 70 10 16.7%
North Dakota 60 10 —
Vermont 50 0 25.0%
District of Columbia 40 0 —
South Dakota 40 0 —

Career to college

Build a path toward this work.

Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.

CareerPrivate Detectives and Investigators
Most direct field Criminal justice Related field Security Science and Technology

Where to study

Colleges with strong activity in these fields.

Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.

NY

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Degrees each year
1,572
Admit rate
57%
Annual cost after aid
$7,000
Open college NH

Southern New Hampshire University

Degrees each year
895
Admit rate
96%
Annual cost after aid
$37,000
Open college TX

Sam Houston State University

Degrees each year
888
Admit rate
85%
Annual cost after aid
$16,000
Open college VA

Liberty University

Degrees each year
586
Admit rate
99%
Annual cost after aid
$27,000
Open college FL

Florida State University

Degrees each year
599
Admit rate
25%
Annual cost after aid
$10,000
Open college CA

California State University-Sacramento

Degrees each year
539
Admit rate
94%
Annual cost after aid
$9,000
Open college FL

Florida International University

Degrees each year
543
Admit rate
59%
Annual cost after aid
$11,000
Open college TX

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Degrees each year
476
Admit rate
85%
Annual cost after aid
$6,000
Open college

Compare every college offering criminal justice and corrections

Keep exploring

Careers with something in common.

Compare paths that use similar training and strengths.

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