Protective Service
Private Detectives and Investigators
Also called: Asset Protection Detective, Field Investigator, Investigator, Loss Prevention Agent
US median pay
$51,220
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
3,200
39,500 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
What they do day to day
- Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
- Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
- Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
- Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
- Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
- Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
- Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.5/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Systems Analysis2.9/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Law and Government4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree38%
- High school diploma25%
- Associate's degree16%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.