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Job outlook for head investigators in the United States
Are head investigator jobs in demand?
Head investigator job and salary trends over time
Head investigator jobs over time
Head investigator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 86 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 86 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 84 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 85 | 0.00% |
Average head investigator salary over time
Head investigator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $50,379 | $24.22 | +4.5% |
| 2025 | $48,194 | $23.17 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $47,470 | $22.82 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $46,340 | $22.28 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $45,268 | $21.76 | +1.2% |
Head investigator jobs by state
Most common states for head investigators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 42 | 6% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 256 | 4% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 46 | 4% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 39 | 4% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 45 | 3% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 649 | 2% |
| 7 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 573 | 2% |
| 8 | New York | 19,849,399 | 466 | 2% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 260 | 2% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 182 | 2% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 176 | 2% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 158 | 2% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 147 | 2% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 140 | 2% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 88 | 2% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 85 | 2% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 52 | 2% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 41 | 2% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 25 | 2% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 22 | 2% |
Most common cities for head investigators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $58,267 |
| 2 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $58,384 |
Head Investigator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of head investigator experts
University of Maryland
NALI - National Association of Legal Investigators
What general advice would you give to a Head Investigator?
Gary LaFree: Think about obtaining as much education and training as you can. Be patient. The fundamentals of the economy are relatively strong. Outlet should be much better when we get through the current crisis.
John Lajoie CLI
National Director, President of Lajoie Investigations, Inc, of MANALI - National Association of Legal Investigators
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Head Investigators in the next 3-5 years?
John Lajoie CLI: Remote computer applications; cybersecurity; cell phone applications that do just about anything work-related and track locations; and advances in hardware and wireless applications. Any technology that will help employers and employees become faster and better communicating and selling will be significant. The biggest will be in the social media arena, as working from home creates a void for in-person social interaction. So the next best thing to many is electronic social media.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Head Investigators?
John Lajoie CLI: Regardless of bleak employment numbers during this horrific pandemic, legal investigators and private detectives' outlook remains hopeful and optimistic for growth through 2030. The onset of COVID 19 and accompanying state and federal guidelines have produced new protocols for all employers, including detective agencies, to operate safely and effectively. Civil pursuits, accidents, incidents, fraud, and criminal enterprise will continue; therefore, the need for legal investigation services will remain in demand.
Those investigators who have positioned their agency to adhere to recommended guidelines and safety protocols, and adapt to the changing technologies, will survive and likely thrive. Those that don't, will have a challenging experience and may not last. For employers, now is time to review business plans and operational and administrative policies, reinvent the business, look for unique training arenas, establish new revenue streams, and markets. Graduates entering the workforce today will experience a new way of searching for, interviewing, and landing a new job. Be prepared. And make sure you do your research on the company you are targeting for a job.