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Entry Level Private Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Palm Bay, FL · On-site

$20 - $26/hr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Palm Bay, FL · On-site

$42K - $52K/yr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Lafayette, LA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Lafayette, LA · On-site

$44K - $54K/yr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Boston, MA · On-site

$22/hr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Columbus, OH · On-site

$44K - $55K/yr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Lansdowne, PA · On-site

$43K - $53K/yr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Denver, CO · On-site

$19/hr

Have you ever thought about becoming a Private Investigator? Are you ready to kick-start your ... Our Full-Time Entry-Level Field Investigator position will help launch your career by providing you ...

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Entry Level Private Investigator information

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How much do entry level private investigator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level private investigator in the United States is $26.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $27.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level private investigator do?

As an entry-level private investigator or PI, your responsibilities are to help investigate personal, legal, and financial issues for clients. Your duties include conducting surveillance on a subject, doing background checks, investigating their personal contacts and habits, and developing reports for clients. As a PI, you may also help locate missing people or track down people who do not want to be contacted. In this entry-level role, you typically work for a larger agency where you assist more senior PIs with research and other duties.

What types of cases and daily tasks can an entry level private investigator expect to handle?

As an entry level private investigator, you'll often start with tasks such as conducting surveillance, background checks, and online research for various cases including insurance fraud, missing persons, or infidelity investigations. You may also assist in gathering evidence, writing reports, and learning how to use investigative tools and databases. While you will work independently at times, collaboration with senior investigators and reporting your findings to supervisors are common parts of the job. Over time, you may be given more complex assignments as you gain experience and demonstrate reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level private investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Private Investigator, you need strong observation skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent, with some states requiring licensure. Familiarity with surveillance equipment, online research tools, and case management software is typically necessary. Discretion, persistence, and effective interpersonal communication are important soft skills for building trust and gathering information. These skills and qualities are crucial for conducting thorough investigations, ensuring legal compliance, and producing reliable results for clients.

What is the difference between Entry Level Private Investigator vs Private Security Officer?

AspectEntry Level Private InvestigatorPrivate Security Officer
Required CredentialsBasic background check, sometimes licensing depending on stateSecurity guard license, if required by state
Work EnvironmentInvestigations, surveillance, researchPatrols, access control, monitoring premises
Employer & IndustryPrivate investigation firms, legal, insuranceSecurity companies, retail, corporate

Entry Level Private Investigators focus on investigations, surveillance, and research, often working for private firms or legal entities. Private Security Officers primarily monitor and protect property or individuals, working in security firms or on-site at various locations. Both roles may require licensing and share similar work environments, but their core duties differ significantly.

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What states have the most Entry Level Private Investigator jobs?

States with the most job openings for Entry Level Private Investigator jobs include:

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Entry Level Private Investigator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Private Investigator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,726 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

Private Investigator

Digistream Investigations

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

DigiStream Investigations, a fast-growing, national private investigation firm, seeks a talented addition to our investigation team in the Sacramento, CA Region.
This isn’t your average desk job - being a Private Investigator means you’ll have a career with excitement, travel, autonomy, and purpose. This role is meant for an individual with an adventurous and curious spirit, and the drive to provide our clients with the evidence they need to defend their cases for potentially fraudulent worker's compensation claims.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40-55 hours per week average, 10-11 hours per day average, depending on travel distance to the case and back to your home (commute time in the company vehicle is "on the clock")
Starting Hourly Pay Rate: $20 hourly (entry-level), frequent overtime
Employee Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance offered, and 401(k) retirement plan with 4% Company Match offered


What you’ll get:

  • A foot in the door to the investigations/security/law enforcement fields
  • Experience conducting covert investigations
  • A job you’ll love going to - no one day is the same
  • Opportunities for growth within the company via our Private Investigator Promotion Track
  • Unlike most PI companies, DigiStream provides full benefits, a company vehicle, and paid travel
  • Professional, hands-on training program developed over the course of 25 years
  • Team-building events and comradery with fellow team members

Sky is the limit! The skills you learn here can lead to jobs in:

  • FBI / Law Enforcement
  • ATF / US Border Patrol / State Crime Lab
  • Law / Paralegal / Legal Assistant
  • Security / Corporate Investigations
  • Investigative Journalism

What a day in the life of an investigator looks like:

  • Monitoring, following, and videotaping subjects as they conduct their day-to-day activities
  • Vehicle and foot pursuit of subjects while maintaining cover
  • Activity varies from filming someone at a grocery store or restaurant to filming them at a sporting event or a casino
  • Crafting pre-surveillance strategies based on the setup location and case details
  • Detailed report writing on the activities observed/captured and submission of video evidence
  • Regular communication with team leader on setup positions, activity and tactics

What you’ll need to apply:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Must be 21 years or older
  • 50 hours per week on average (includes commute & drive time)
  • Willingness to travel and stay overnight on remote assignments (as needed)
  • Availability to work any day of the week, including weekends and holidays
  • Ability to start work as early as 5:00 am daily with occasional work into the evenings
  • Must currently live in the Sacramento, CA area
  • Ability to pass DMV check & background check
  • Confident driving skills

Compensation/benefits/promotions:

  • Starting pay: $20.00 per hour
  • Employee Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k) with up to 4% company match
  • Performance incentives
  • Paid travel to and from local and remote assignments
  • Cellphone reimbursement
  • Equipment provided including video camera, laptop, tripod, fuel & maintenance card
  • Company-provided surveillance vehicle
  • We hire at the entry level and promote from within based on performance

Note: Position does not require daily commute to an office or motor pool as your surveillance vehicle is entrusted to you and is kept at your residence on a daily basis. Travel to and from assignments will begin and end at your residence.

**Only apply if you have availability to work any of the 7 days of the week, and only if you can work a 5 day per week schedule with an average of 10-12 hours per day, including weekends and holidays**