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Entry Level Private Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Guardian Angel Investigations

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Entry Level (Open-Source Intelligence) Investigator

Reading, PA · Remote

$100 - $750/wk

We are a fully licensed Private Investigation firm operating in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware ... We are currently seeking an entry-level OSINT Contractor to join us on an as-needed basis. This ...

Guardian Angel Investigations

Be Seen First

Entry Level (Open-Source Intelligence) Investigator

Reading, PA · Remote

$100 - $750/wk

We are a fully licensed Private Investigation firm operating in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware ... We are currently seeking an entry-level OSINT Contractor to join us on an as-needed basis. This ...

Ethos Risk Services

Entry-Level Investigator

Columbus, OH

$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

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

Bronx, NY · On-site

$23/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

$16/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

Riverside, CA

$48K - $59K/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

Orlando, FL · On-site

$40K - $49K/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

Miami, FL · 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

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

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 ...

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Entry Level Private Investigator information

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$57

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

As of Aug 7, 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.

More about Entry Level Private Investigator jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Private Investigator jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Private Investigator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Private Investigator jobs? The most popular types of Private Investigator jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Private Investigator jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Private Investigator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Private Investigator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Private Investigator jobs are:
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, 73% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,726 per year, or $26.8 per hour.

Entry Level (Open-Source Intelligence) Investigator

Guardian Angel Investigations

Reading, PA • Remote

$100 - $750/wk

Contractor

Posted 18 days ago

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Job description

About Our Team

At Guardian Angel Investigations, our team of investigators provides critical evidence for complex insurance and domestic cases throughout PA, NJ, DE, and MD. We are a fully licensed Private Investigation firm operating in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Our service has been tailored from many years of experience and successful partnerships, and we rely on ongoing conversations, prompt case updates, and feedback to set the standard for Private Investigation Professional Services.

The Role

As our caseload grows, we are looking to expand our OSINT team. We are currently seeking an entry-level OSINT Contractor to join us on an as-needed basis. This contracting role is heavily focused on social media internet mining investigations. Your primary responsibility will be assisting with background and social media Investigations for insurance social media reports, though you will also occasionally help on unique and interesting cases as they come through, such as mitigating online blackmail, investigating cyberbullying, and whatever comes across the desk!

Does this sound like you?
Our ideal candidate is an individual who currently enjoys OSINT as a hobby. You have likely conducted your own OSINT projects, participated in hobby research, and possess a solid baseline understanding of the field and understand the importance of report writing, especially formatting with adherence to internal templates. If you are looking to transition from an OSINT hobbyist to contracting on an as-needed basis, we want to hear from you. You will be learning and working alongside like minded individuals who are driven to grow professionally in the OSINT realm and succeed as a team with the ultimate goal of making us a dominant player in the Private Investigation space.

Requirements & Skills
Location & Requirements: Must reside in the USA and be authorized to work in the United States, as well as the ability to pass a background and obtain a state // federal background check.

· OSINT Fundamentals: You must be familiar with basic OSINT tools and techniques. This includes a working knowledge of Google Dorks, navigating popular social media websites (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.), and standard digital footprinting methods with familiarity with web based OSINT tools, bonus points for self hosted tools and basic coding understanding (not required but an advantage)

· Reporting Precision: Proficiency in Microsoft Word and the ability to perfectly mimic our current reporting style, phrasing, wording, and flow is required. Your findings need to blend seamlessly into our established client deliverables.

· Time Management: You must be highly dependable and strictly adhere to provided report deadlines.

· Future Growth: This position is an entry-level, as-needed contract role designed to help us expand our OSINT department, but we anticipate growing our staff further in the future.

Does this Entry level contracting role sound like a good fit?

Company Description

Guardian Angel Investigations is a leading firm headquartered in Reading, PA specializing in insurance fraud investigation, infidelity investigation, and cohabitation . We are fully licensed & insured in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Maryland. Our investigators are equipped with state of the art technology and trained for challenging cases, and it is the quality of services that we provide, that separate us from other investigative companies.