Private Detectives and Investigators
SOC Code: 33-9021 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Private Detectives and Investigators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla, WA | $43,098 | $64,854 | $86,632 | $108,389 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $41,163 | $60,008 | $78,853 | $97,698 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $48,381 | $64,064 | $79,768 | $95,451 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $48,672 | $64,002 | $79,352 | $94,682 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $47,154 | $62,546 | $77,958 | $93,350 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $41,933 | $58,906 | $75,899 | $92,872 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $49,400 | $63,794 | $78,208 | $92,602 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $42,598 | $59,030 | $75,442 | $91,874 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,114 | $61,360 | $76,586 | $91,832 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $45,926 | $61,006 | $76,107 | $91,187 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.1 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 | |
| Writing | 3.6 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.5 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.4 | |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| English Language | 4.2 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.2 |
| Law and Government | 4.0 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.6 |
| Administrative | 3.5 |
| Administration and Management | 3.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.4 |
| Psychology | 3.3 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 37.7% |
| High school diploma | 25.1% |
| Associate's degree | 16.4% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 12.1% |
| Master's degree | 4.5% |
| Some college | 4.2% |
Typical Tasks
- Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
- Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- 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.
- Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Facebook Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Computer imaging software Email software LexisNexis Operating system software Web browser software Word processing software
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