Private Investigator
$19.25 - $24.75/hr
As a Private Investigator you will have extensive scope of work for independent action and decision, in the performance of highly confidential and sensitive investigations into allegations of ...
Private Investigator
$19.25 - $24.75/hr
As a Private Investigator you will have extensive scope of work for independent action and decision, in the performance of highly confidential and sensitive investigations into allegations of ...
Private Investigator PT/SUB
Lake Oswego, OR · On-site
$23 - $29.25/hr
Private Investigator- PT PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring ... Currently, we are only considering part-time experienced investigators! We are a great company to ...
Quick apply
Private Investigator PT/SUB
Lake Oswego, OR · On-site
$23 - $29.25/hr
Private Investigator- PT PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring ... Currently, we are only considering part-time experienced investigators! We are a great company to ...
Private Investigator PT/SUB
Lake Oswego, OR · On-site
$22 - $27/hr
Private Investigator- PT PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring ... Currently, we are only considering part-time experienced investigators! We are a great company to ...
Private Investigator PT/SUB
Lake Oswego, OR · On-site
$22 - $27/hr
Private Investigator- PT PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring ... Currently, we are only considering part-time experienced investigators! We are a great company to ...
Private Investigator PT/SUB
Lake Oswego, OR · On-site
$23 - $29.25/hr
Private Investigator- PT PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring ... Currently, we are only considering part-time experienced investigators! We are a great company to ...
Private Investigator PT/SUB
Lake Oswego, OR · On-site
$23 - $29.25/hr
Private Investigator- PT PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring ... Currently, we are only considering part-time experienced investigators! We are a great company to ...
SIU Investigator - Tampa Bay Area
$21 - $27/hr
Florida applicants must either hold a C Private Investigators' License or independently complete the 40-hour course necessary to successfully apply for a CC Private Investigator's license ...
Quick apply
SIU Investigator - Tampa Bay Area
$21 - $27/hr
Florida applicants must either hold a C Private Investigators' License or independently complete the 40-hour course necessary to successfully apply for a CC Private Investigator's license ...
SIU Investigator - Tampa Bay Area
$21 - $27/hr
Florida applicants must either hold a C Private Investigators' License or independently complete the 40-hour course necessary to successfully apply for a CC Private Investigator's license ...
SIU Investigator - Tampa Bay Area
$21 - $27/hr
Florida applicants must either hold a C Private Investigators' License or independently complete the 40-hour course necessary to successfully apply for a CC Private Investigator's license ...
Private Investigator - Civil Litigation & Class Action Investigations Superior Executive & Legal Recruiting is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a sophisticated Los Angeles-based ...
Private Investigator - Civil Litigation & Class Action Investigations Superior Executive & Legal Recruiting is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a sophisticated Los Angeles-based ...
Private Investigator - Civil Litigation & Class Action Investigations
Los Angeles, CA · Remote
$22.75 - $29.25/hr
Private Investigator -- Civil Litigation & Class Action Investigations Superior Executive & Legal Recruiting is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a sophisticated Los Angeles-based ...
Quick apply
Private Investigator - Civil Litigation & Class Action Investigations
Los Angeles, CA · Remote
$22.75 - $29.25/hr
Private Investigator -- Civil Litigation & Class Action Investigations Superior Executive & Legal Recruiting is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a sophisticated Los Angeles-based ...
FT Private Investigator - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, NC · Remote
$20 - $30/hr
We are currently seeking talented and experienced Private Investigators to join our growing team. This role involves ethical and professional investigative work on Workers' Compensation and Liability ...
Quick apply
FT Private Investigator - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, NC · Remote
$20 - $30/hr
We are currently seeking talented and experienced Private Investigators to join our growing team. This role involves ethical and professional investigative work on Workers' Compensation and Liability ...
FT Private Investigator - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, NC · On-site
$20 - $30/hr
We are currently seeking talented and experienced Private Investigators to join our growing team. This role involves ethical and professional investigative work on Workers' Compensation and Liability ...
FT Private Investigator - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, NC · On-site
$20 - $30/hr
We are currently seeking talented and experienced Private Investigators to join our growing team. This role involves ethical and professional investigative work on Workers' Compensation and Liability ...
SIU Investigator - Tampa Bay Area
$21 - $27/hr
Florida applicants must either hold a C Private Investigators' License or independently complete the 40-hour course necessary to successfully apply for a CC Private Investigator's license ...
SIU Investigator - Tampa Bay Area
$21 - $27/hr
Florida applicants must either hold a C Private Investigators' License or independently complete the 40-hour course necessary to successfully apply for a CC Private Investigator's license ...
Field Investigator
Poughkeepsie, NY · On-site
$23 - $27/hr
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Quick apply
Field Investigator
Poughkeepsie, NY · On-site
$23 - $27/hr
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Field Investigator
Corona, NY · On-site
$22 - $26/hr
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Quick apply
Field Investigator
Corona, NY · On-site
$22 - $26/hr
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Field Investigator
Fort Myers, FL · On-site
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Quick apply
Field Investigator
Fort Myers, FL · On-site
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Field Investigator
Fort Myers, FL · On-site
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Quick apply
Field Investigator
Fort Myers, FL · On-site
... private investigators Nationwide, Advantage uses strategic planning and technology to give our clients greater clarity on a claimant's daily activities. Providing Covert Surveillance, Claims ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
$21.50 - $27.50/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Greeley, CO region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
$21.50 - $27.50/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Greeley, CO region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site
$22 - $28/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Chicagoland region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Quick apply
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site
$22 - $28/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Chicagoland region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site
$22 - $27/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Chicagoland region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site
$22 - $27/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Chicagoland region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
$21.25 - $27.25/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the greater Akron, OH region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
$21.25 - $27.25/hr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the greater Akron, OH region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
Maumee, OH · On-site
$50K - $60K/yr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Toledo, OH region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigator - Company Vehicle Provided!
Maumee, OH · On-site
$50K - $60K/yr
PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Toledo, OH region. If you like to work autonomously in dynamic ...
Private Investigators information
See salary details
$15.38 - $19.21
5% of jobs
$21.15 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$19.21 - $23.03
39% of jobs
The median wage is $23.69 / hr.
$23.03 - $26.86
34% of jobs
$26.86 - $30.68
16% of jobs
$30.68 - $34.51
3% of jobs
$34.51 - $38.33
2% of jobs
$38.33 - $42.15
0% of jobs
$42.15 - $45.98
0% of jobs
$45.98 - $49.80
0% of jobs
$49.80 - $53.63
0% of jobs
$53.63 - $57.45
1% of jobs
$15
$26
$57
How much do private investigators jobs pay per hour?
As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for private investigators 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 is the difference between Private Investigators vs Process Servers?
| Aspect | Private Investigators | Process Servers |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | May require licenses, certifications, or training in investigation techniques | Often need to be licensed; focus on legal process service |
| Work Environment | Fieldwork, surveillance, interviews, and research | Primarily fieldwork delivering legal documents |
| Employer & Industry | Private investigation firms, legal, insurance | Legal firms, courts, government agencies |
| Search & Comparison Intent | Investigations, surveillance, background checks | Legal document delivery, court filings |
While both roles operate within the legal and investigative industries, Private Investigators focus on conducting investigations, surveillance, and research, often requiring specialized training and licenses. Process Servers specialize in delivering legal documents and ensuring legal procedures are followed. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the investigative and legal support fields.
Are private investigators in high demand?
Private investigators are in steady demand due to ongoing needs for surveillance, background checks, and fraud investigations. Employment growth is expected to be average, with opportunities often influenced by legal, corporate, and individual client needs, and requiring skills in research, observation, and sometimes licensing or certification.
How much money can you make as a private investigator?
Private investigators typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, with experienced professionals or those working in specialized fields earning higher salaries. Income can vary based on location, experience, and the complexity of cases handled, and many investigators work independently or as part of agencies. Skills in surveillance, interviewing, and report writing are essential for higher earnings.
What does a private investigator do exactly?
A private investigator conducts investigations to gather information, often related to legal, personal, or business matters. They may perform surveillance, interview witnesses, review records, and use specialized tools and techniques to collect evidence while adhering to legal standards.
More about Private Investigators jobs
What cities are hiring for Private Investigators jobs?
Cities with the most Private Investigators job openings:
What states have the most Private Investigators jobs?
States with the most job openings for Private Investigators jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Private Investigators jobs look for?
The top searched job categories for Private Investigators jobs are:
$19.25 - $24.75/hr
Full-time
Re-posted 14 days ago
Job description
As a Private Investigator you will have extensive scope of work for independent action and decision, in the performance of highly confidential and sensitive investigations into allegations of corruption, misconduct, and/or other illegal, unethical, or improper activity. Individuals selected for the position will be expected to perform investigations of workers compensation claims, liability investigations, multi-line insurance claims, criminal and civil background checks, and other investigative tasks.