1

Hour Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$39K - $68K/yr

Agency Dept of Labor Division Standards , Inspections Division Job Classification Title Wage And Hour Investigator I (S) Position Number 60013011 Grade NC08 About Us The North Carolina Department of ...

This position is located in the Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The position is responsible for conducting investigations of employers across all industries within the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Hour Investigator information

See salary details

$32K

$75.3K

$131K

How much do hour investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for hour investigator in the United States is $75,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Hour Investigator vs Fire Investigator?

AspectHour InvestigatorFire Investigator
Required CertificationsTypically state-specific investigator licenses, security or surveillance certificationsFire science certifications, fire investigation training, state or national fire investigator certifications
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, surveillance sites, law enforcement agenciesFire scenes, accident sites, forensic labs
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement, security firms, government agenciesFire departments, insurance companies, forensic agencies

Hour Investigators primarily focus on surveillance, security, and law enforcement-related investigations, often working in office or surveillance environments. Fire Investigators specialize in determining fire causes, working at fire scenes and in forensic settings. While both roles require investigative skills, their certifications, work environments, and industry applications differ significantly.

What are some common challenges hour investigators face when verifying employee work hours, and how can they effectively address them?

Hour Investigators often encounter challenges such as incomplete or inconsistent time records, discrepancies between reported and actual hours, and resistance from employees or supervisors during audits. To address these issues, investigators typically use a combination of digital time-tracking systems, thorough documentation reviews, and interviews with staff to cross-check information. Building strong communication skills and maintaining objectivity are essential for resolving conflicts and ensuring accurate findings. Staying updated on labor laws and company policies also helps Hour Investigators navigate complex situations with professionalism.

What is an hour investigator?

Hour Investigators are professionals who verify and audit employee work hours, often for compliance or payroll purposes. They may review timecards, attendance systems, and other records to ensure accuracy and detect discrepancies. Their work helps organizations maintain fair labor practices and avoid legal issues related to wage and hour laws. Hour Investigators may be employed internally by companies or work for third-party agencies specializing in workforce management. Their attention to detail and knowledge of labor regulations are essential for this role.

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

To thrive as an Hour Investigator, you need a strong understanding of labor laws, investigative techniques, and data analysis, typically supported by a degree in criminal justice, human resources, or a related field. Familiarity with case management software, timekeeping systems, and relevant compliance databases is important. Excellent attention to detail, communication skills, and discretion help in interviewing witnesses and compiling accurate reports. These skills ensure thorough, objective investigations and help organizations maintain compliance with wage and hour regulations.
More about Hour Investigator jobs

What cities are hiring for Hour Investigator jobs?

Cities with the most Hour Investigator job openings:

Infographic showing various Hour Investigator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 52% Full Time, 34% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 11% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,325 per year, or $36.2 per hour.

Supervisory Wage and Hour Investigator (ADD)

Wage and Hour Division

Newport News, VA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$106K - $139K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Summary
This position is located in the U.S. Wage and Hour Division (WHD) in either Richmond or New Port News Virginia. The incumbent will serve as an Assistant District Director (ADD). The ADD is responsible for executing, within the geographical jurisdiction, the enforcement and compliance programs of the Wage and Hour Division.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is an essential labor law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing significant labor laws affecting nearly 150 million workers. Our mission is to protect rights related to minimum wage, overtime, child labor, family and medical leave, employment conditions for migrant workers, lie detector tests, garnishments, prevailing wages on government-funded contracts, labor provisions of several guest worker programs, and more.
As a Supervisory Wage and Hour Investigator (Assistant District Director), you will perform the following duties which are not all-inclusive:
  • Assist in directing and supervising the compliance and enforcement activities within the assigned jurisdiction.
  • Assist in the planning and development of the compliance and enforcement program and recommends changes in programs on the basis of economic conditions in the area, types of business or industry.
  • Maintain liaison with local, state, federal and other public institutions in order to exchange information concerning the requirements, interpretations and application of wage and hour related laws.
  • Assist in training and developing Investigators, prepares progress reports and evaluates their performance.
  • Plan, prioritize, coordinate and assign work to subordinates, guidance and assistance to include advising and assisting Investigators on investigative cases, interpretative questions and administrative policy in connection with the compliance and enforcement program.
  • Hear and resolve employee complaints and identify developmental and training needs and assures those needs are met.

Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
  • Requires a supervisory probationary period if the requirement has not been met.

Qualifications
You must meet all requirements listed below to qualify for a GS-13 Supervisory Wage and Hour Investigator (ADD).
A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such position.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. You must meet the following
Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) and the Specialized Experience to qualify for Supervisory Wage and Hour Investigator (Assistant District Director):
Applicants must meet at least two of the following three specialized criteria requirements:
  • General knowledge of Federal wage and hour labor laws, industrial occupations, wage scales, employment practices, or salary and wage administration practices.
  • Skill in analyzing written/verbal information and numerical data and making decisions on issues based on interviews, records review, reconstruction of missing or fraudulent records and applying legal or regulatory provisions, precedents, and principles to specific investigative matters.
  • Skill in personal contacts requiring the ability to explain requirements or rights and obtain information and cooperation from people with diverse backgrounds and levels of understanding, reconcile conflicting interests, and persuade others to comply voluntarily with requirements.

In addition to the criteria specified above, applicants must have knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of Federal wage and hour labor laws pertaining to wages, hours of work, or related conditions of employment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
  • Developing, interpreting, or applying policies, procedures, and operating standards in determining compliance for an organization or government-based program.
  • Conducting interviews and providing information about laws and/or regulations.
  • Industrial personnel or salary and wage administration or responsible work in a certified public accounting firm.
  • Analyzing or applying labor legislation.
  • Reviewing and evaluating operations and procedures through analysis, audits, or surveillance inspections.
  • Federal, State, or self-regulatory agency work involving obtaining compliance with appropriate program requirements.

-AND-
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes:
  1. Experience working with laws and regulations enforced by the Wage and Hour Division or similar State or Federal Statutes, including responsibility for analyzing written and oral information, numerical data, making decisions and applying legal or regulatory provisions, and principles to specific situations.
  2. Experience conducting complex investigations pertaining to Wage and Hour programs as well as preparing cases for criminal or civil litigation.
  3. Experience performing public information and public relations duties by speaking before employers, labor, and civic groups as well as radio, television and on-line media.

-AND-
Time in grade requirement for the GS-13 grade level - 52 weeks of Federal service at the GS-12 grade level (if applicable).Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment, and qualifications requirements within 30 days, 08/20/2026, of the closing date of this announcement to be eligible for consideration.
Education
This position has no education requirement and there is no substitution of education for specialized experience at this grade level. Applicants must possess the required specialized experience.
Additional information
The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers.
Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
You may not be aware, but in the regulations for agency ethics programs, there are requirements for supervisors. Section 2638.103 of Title 5 of the CFR states: Every supervisor in the executive branch has a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. It is imperative that supervisors serve as models of ethical behavior for subordinates. Supervisors have a responsibility to help ensure that subordinates are aware of their ethical obligations under the Standards of Conduct and that subordinates know how to contact agency ethics officials. Supervisors are also responsible for working with agency ethics officials to help resolve conflicts of interests and enforce government ethics laws and regulations, including those requiring certain employees to file financial disclosure reports. In addition, supervisors are responsible, when requested, for assisting agency ethics officials in evaluating potential conflicts of interest and identifying positions subject to financial disclosure requirements.
Supervisory Financial Disclosure (If applicable): This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually.
For more information, click Telework Position Information. This is not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis and is eligible for participation in telework as determined by management in accordance with DOL policy.
Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy.
The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information.
The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act.
Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.
All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.