How long does the training take?

Typically no schooling after high school, then a few months to a year of training on the job, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do private detectives and investigators make?

The US median is $51,220 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train for this work?

658 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Private detectives and investigators: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Protective service · SOC 33-9021

$51,220US median pay, 2025

+5.5%Projected growth, 2025–35

3,200Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Work in: private detectives and investigators

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Criminal Justice/Police Science	CIP 43.0107	551
Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism	CIP 43.0403	114
Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation	CIP 43.0405	35
Protective Services Operations	CIP 43.0120	7
Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management	CIP 43.0115	0
Maritime Law Enforcement	CIP 43.0122	0
Cultural/Archaelogical Resources Protection	CIP 43.0123	0

See the 658 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically no schooling after high school, then a few months to a year of training on the job, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do private detectives and investigators make?: The US median is $51,220 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train for this work?: 658 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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