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Private Detectives and Investigators In Demand

General Information

Description

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.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit60.05%
  2. State and local government23.15%
  3. Federal government7.11%
  4. Self-employed5.28%
  5. Private, not for profit4.39%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+6%
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Job Outlook

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Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,800 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.

Similar Careers

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$52,120

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$31,000
$75,000
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 37%
  • High school 25%
  • Associate's degree 16%
  • Some college 12%
  • Post baccalaureate 4%
  • Post-secondary certificate 4%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Enterprising — You have an interest in managing, negotiating and marketing, or leading and advising others.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

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

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.