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Investigative Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hearst

Investigative Reporter

Houston, TX · On-site

The Houston Chronicle is looking to hire an investigative reporter to join our award-winning investigations team, the largest team of its kind in Texas. This is a chance for an ambitious ...

Hearst

Investigative Reporter

Houston, TX

The Houston Chronicle is looking to hire an investigative reporter to join our award-winning investigations team, the largest team of its kind in Texas. This is a chance for an ambitious ...

WOWK-TV

Investigative Reporter

Wilkes Barre, PA · On-site

The Investigative Reporter serves as the primary presenter of major news stories and other content for all platforms in a manner that is clear, engaging and meaningful to news consumers. * Produce ...

Department of Justice

Investigative Analyst

Lexington, NC · On-site

$52K/yr

The selectee of this position serves as an Investigative Analyst. You will be responsible for collecting and analyzing a variety of intelligence data, and processing, tracking and inputting warrants ...

Department of Justice

Investigative Analyst

Lubbock, TX · On-site

$52K/yr

The selectee of this position serves as an Investigative Analyst. You will be responsible for collecting and analyzing a variety of intelligence data, and processing, tracking and inputting warrants ...

Department of Justice

CT · On-site

$52K/yr

The selectee of this position serves as an Investigative Analyst. You will be responsible for collecting and analyzing a variety of intelligence data, and processing, tracking and inputting warrants ...

Department of Justice

Investigative Analyst

Fargo, ND · On-site

$52K/yr

The selectee of this position serves as an Investigative Analyst. You will be responsible for collecting and analyzing a variety of intelligence data, and processing, tracking and inputting warrants ...

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Investigative information

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$32K

$75.3K

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How much do investigative jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for investigative 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 highest paid investigator?

The highest paid investigators are often private investigators or specialized forensic investigators, with top earners making over $100,000 annually. Factors influencing salary include experience, certifications, industry, and geographic location, with some forensic or corporate investigators earning higher wages due to specialized skills and security clearances.

What types of challenges might I encounter when working as an investigative professional, and how can I effectively manage them?

As an investigative professional, you may face challenges such as gathering reliable information from reluctant sources, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring personal safety during fieldwork. Navigating ethical considerations and maintaining objectivity are also critical aspects of the role. Building strong interviewing skills, maintaining meticulous records, and collaborating with legal or law enforcement teams can help you overcome these challenges and ensure thorough, credible investigations.

How do you get into investigative work?

To pursue investigative work, individuals typically need a background in criminal justice, law enforcement, or related fields, along with strong research, analytical, and communication skills. Gaining experience through internships, entry-level positions, or specialized training such as certifications in private investigation can also be helpful. Familiarity with tools like surveillance equipment and databases is often beneficial for success in this field.

What is an investigative job?

Investigative jobs involve researching, analyzing, and uncovering information to solve problems or answer questions. Professionals in this field, such as investigative journalists or private investigators, gather evidence, conduct interviews, and verify facts to reveal the truth about various issues or incidents. These roles often require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ethical standards. Investigative jobs can be found in journalism, law enforcement, corporate security, and legal sectors.

What types of jobs are investigative?

Investigative jobs involve researching, analyzing, and uncovering information across various fields such as law enforcement, intelligence, journalism, private investigation, and scientific research. These roles often require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and sometimes specialized certifications or security clearances. They typically involve working in environments that demand critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

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

To thrive as an Investigative Journalist, you need strong research skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, and a relevant degree in journalism or communications. Familiarity with data analysis tools, public records databases, and digital content management systems is often required. Persistence, ethical judgment, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this field. These abilities are crucial for uncovering the truth, producing impactful stories, and maintaining public trust in journalism.
More about Investigative jobs

What cities are hiring for Investigative jobs?

Cities with the most Investigative job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Investigative jobs?

The most popular types of Investigative jobs are:

What states have the most Investigative jobs?

States with the most job openings for Investigative jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Investigative jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Investigative jobs are:

Investigative jobs near you
Infographic showing various Investigative job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,325 per year, or $36.2 per hour.

Investigative Reporter

Hearst

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Hearst rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 76 rated media

Job description


The Houston Chronicle is looking to hire an investigative reporter to join our award-winning investigations team, the largest team of its kind in Texas. This is a chance for an ambitious accountability-focused journalist to mold their own beat and collaborate widely across a newsroom that's been named the state's best for seven of the past eight years by the Texas Managing Editors.
Our reporters work in topic areas such as state and local government accountability, suburban growth and development, the oil and gas industry, healthcare, criminal justice and more. Our goal is to serve our readers, answer their burning questions and make a difference with reporting that calls attention to problems, finds answers and tracks solutions.
This new hire will report to the Senior Director of Investigations and be a part of the local investigative reporting team that has been nationally recognized for its impact and scope. Recently, our team's work was awarded first place by the Online News Association and National Headliner Awards, as well as by SABEW and Best of the West. Our work was also a finalist for the Livingston Awards and semifinalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.
Key Responsibilities
  • Pitches, reports and produces coverage that drives conversation and impacts the way the region's power brokers make decisions and exert their influence.
  • Owns all of the subsequent reporting, impact and updates around key investigative storylines.
  • Collaborates with other reporters, editors, visual journalists and audience colleagues to elevate our accountability and high-impact reporting in ways that engage our core audience and give new audiences a reason to subscribe.
  • Works with visual, audience and data colleagues to present investigations in new and engaging formats that go beyond traditional print storytelling.

We're Looking For Someone Who
  • Has at least five years producing original accountability stories that have had a major impact on laws, lives and hearts.
  • Has strong familiarity with Texas and moves quickly, identifying opportunities for investigative stories and delving into them with speed, rigor and fairness.
  • Will thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, juggling priorities and writing with clarity, care and precision.
  • Is well versed in investigative reporting skills, including working with data and filing public records requests at the local, state and federal levels.
  • Has demonstrated ability to find audiences for their work on different platforms through a variety of story formats as well as on social media.
  • Is experienced with scripting and producing videos to accompany or enhance written investigations.
  • Can build data visualizations and databases to bring complex stories to life.

Success is measured by
  • Produces exclusive coverage that lands with impact and drives conversation - giving new audiences a reason to convert and keeping our core audience coming back for more.
  • Publishes content at a cadence that ensures we are regularly offering exclusive, must-read impact and accountability work to our audience.
  • Takes the biggest accountability stories of the day and elevates them into quick-turn investigative stories or seeds them into long-term rolling series.

About the Houston Chronicle:
The Houston Chronicle, recognized for its Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism, serves its 2.3 million residents with content and marketing solutions across two of Houston's largest websites - HoustonChronicle.com and Chron.com , along with our magazine, television and newspaper brands. Our mission is to spark conversations that inspire action to create a better Houston. All our content and the innovative business solutions we provide invite Houstonians to join conversations about a community we've been committed to covering and helping prosper for more than 120 years. The community we all call home.
About Hearst Newspapers:
With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP encompasses a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.
At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories - growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms - to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.
Be a part of something bigger - your headline awaits.
Recognizing the diverse needs of our candidates, if you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or regarding the application process, please contact us by email at hnpemployment@hearst.com. Please do not use this email address to inquire about the status of applications. We will only respond to inquiries concerning requests for a reasonable accommodation through this email address.
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