Private Investigator Careers Information
Private Investigation has changed significantly over the last decade. Private investigators are employed by insurance companies, hotels, department stores, law firms, and many other businesses. Private investigators perform many tasks, from surveillance and divorce casework, to computer-based detective work and fraud investigation. Private detectives also work with financial and legal firms.
Private Investigator Careers & Degrees
- Colorado Technical University - Undergraduate: Undergraduate - Online
Private Investigator Careers Path
Although there is no one set educational pathway for private investigators, coursework and degrees in criminal justice, law, law enforcement, or political science are often useful and marketable. Most states require private investigators to obtain a license.
Requirements vary by state, ranging from a high school diploma to three years of college, but passing a written test is standard. However, as you’d expect, a lot of the trade is learned on the street: once the necessary educational requirements have been met, the final part of the training private investigators need is obtained on the job through real-world experience.
Private Investigator Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Intelligent, aware, brave, charismatic, canny, cunning, sly, dedicated, perceptive, tough, hard-working, no-nonsense, practical, committed.
Private Investigator Careers: Salary Expectations
The median salary for private investigators is $41,760 dollars a year. Depending on whether a private investigator works on contract or serves as a regular employee at a company, benefits and overtime can be very good.
Private Investigator Careers: Job Outlook
Private investigation is expected to experience 16% job growth by 2016, which is faster than the US economy as a whole. Those who work in areas particularly subject to new innovations, such as computer investigation, should see especially good career opportunities, as technology-oriented sectors of the industry are expanding.
Slightly Off the Footpath
Sources: bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm
