| The question of a private investigator salary and | | | | firm doesn't necessarily mean you'll be put on a |
| how much a P.I. can earn is hard to answer in one | | | | P.I. salary.In fact, many firms hire private |
| sentence given the different situations they work | | | | investigators and pay them on an hourly basis. |
| in today. | | | | High Income Earners |
| Can you get rich in the private investigation | | | | With the industry now growing at a rapid rate, |
| industry? Well, it depends what you define as rich. | | | | the scope for people to specialize in one or two |
| As the owner of a large firm then yes, the scope | | | | areas of the profession has increased. |
| to earn an excellent income is there but in all | | | | The need for corporations and legal firms to use |
| reality, the average P.I. will not be getting rich. | | | | private investigators on a more regular basis |
| Location, Location, Location | | | | means if a P.I. has the necessary skills relating to |
| It depends a lot on where a P.I. works. In less | | | | a specialist area, then the ability to earn over $50 |
| affluent areas, the scope for earning a good | | | | an hour is also increased. For example, hazardous |
| private investigator salary is not very high. The | | | | waste investigations are considered high risk and |
| hours will be long and the standard of work more | | | | the reward for taking on this type of job is higher |
| than likely restricted. | | | | than normal. |
| The average hourly rate for P.I.s in the US is | | | | On average, a private investigator salary in the |
| about $50 an hour. Some firms can charge as | | | | U.S. taking into account all level incomes is |
| much as $100 an hour however, these will be | | | | between $35-$38,000. If this is the figure you're |
| firms who are positioned in high income areas. In | | | | basing your reason for joining on, then consider |
| low income areas, the rate can often be as low | | | | this may be a little mis-leading given that high |
| as $30 and hour. | | | | incomes will obviously inflate them to an extent. |
| For someone starting off with a large firm, their | | | | Yes, it can be an exciting career but private |
| expected private investigator salary will probably | | | | investigation also involves working long hours and |
| start off at about $20,000. In some cases, this | | | | for many, in potentially dangerous situations. One |
| could be fractionally higher. | | | | thing you can almost be guaranteed of today |
| For an experienced P.I. with specialist skills then | | | | depending where you live is, there should never |
| salaries above $50,000 are likely. Working for a | | | | be a lack of work. |