Occupations/33-9021.00
Private Detectives and Investigators
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.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
62%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
51%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
56%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Task
Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- Task
Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- 02Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- 03Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- 04Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
- 05Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
- 06Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.43
- Degree of automation2.01
- Time sitting4.20
- Originality (ability)3.00
- Conflict situations2.82
- Hands-on objects/tools2.66
- Outdoors / weather2.72
- Disease exposure1.30
- Decision freedom4.61
Top abilities
- Inductive Reasoning4.12
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Near Vision4.00
- Written Expression3.88
- Written Comprehension3.88
- Deductive Reasoning3.88
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.88
- Active Listening4.12
- Writing3.62
- Speaking4.00
- Mathematics2.25
- Science1.50
- Critical Thinking3.88
- Active Learning3.38
- Learning Strategies2.50
- Monitoring3.38
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 40 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of St Thomas St. Paul, MN · Private nonprofit | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $50,200 | 77% | 82% | 1 yr $71,854 2 yr $75,204 Master's · CIP 43.01 |
Metropolitan State University St. Paul, MN · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $9,600 | 82% | 48% | 1 yr $57,318 2 yr $57,318 Certificate · CIP 43.01 |
Boston University Boston, MA · Private nonprofit | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $65,200 | 14% | 89% | 1 yr $50,677 2 yr $48,703 Master's · CIP 43.01 |
Miami Dade College Miami, FL · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $2,900 | 100% | 41% | 1 yr $47,260 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 43.01 |
St Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $9,600 | 95% | 56% | 1 yr $45,598 2 yr $43,426 Bachelor's · CIP 43.01 |
Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, MN · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $9,700 | 71% | 62% | 1 yr $44,808 2 yr $42,682 Bachelor's · CIP 43.01 |
Winona State University Winona, MN · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $10,500 | 77% | 67% | 1 yr $44,021 2 yr $41,058 Bachelor's · CIP 43.01 |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $15,200 | 57% | 86% | 1 yr $43,658 2 yr $43,143 Bachelor's · CIP 43.01 |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $9,800 | 71% | 61% | 1 yr $43,128 2 yr $44,649 Associate · CIP 43.01 |
Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $9,900 | 77% | 58% | 1 yr $42,495 2 yr $41,789 Bachelor's · CIP 43.01 |
North Dakota State University Fargo, ND · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $10,900 | 96% | 68% | 1 yr $39,860 2 yr $32,711 Bachelor's · CIP 43.01 |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public | Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 | $12,000 | 90% | 69% | 1 yr $39,824 2 yr $37,941 Bachelor's · CIP 43.01 |