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Licensed private investigator vs missing persons investigator

The differences between licensed private investigators and missing persons investigators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a licensed private investigator and a missing persons investigator. Additionally, a missing persons investigator has an average salary of $49,633, which is higher than the $47,204 average annual salary of a licensed private investigator.

The top three skills for a licensed private investigator include background checks, child abuse and insurance fraud. The most important skills for a missing persons investigator are law enforcement officials, , and .

Licensed private investigator vs missing persons investigator overview

Licensed Private InvestigatorMissing Persons Investigator
Yearly salary$47,204$49,633
Hourly rate$22.69$23.86
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs16,9544,427
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Licensed private investigator vs missing persons investigator salary

Licensed private investigators and missing persons investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Licensed Private InvestigatorMissing Persons Investigator
Average salary$47,204$49,633
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $74,000Between $28,000 And $87,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between licensed private investigator and missing persons investigator education

There are a few differences between a licensed private investigator and a missing persons investigator in terms of educational background:

Licensed Private InvestigatorMissing Persons Investigator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldCalifornia State University - Bakersfield

Licensed private investigator vs missing persons investigator demographics

Here are the differences between licensed private investigators' and missing persons investigators' demographics:

Licensed Private InvestigatorMissing Persons Investigator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 66.2% Female, 33.8%Male, 54.5% Female, 45.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 4.7% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between licensed private investigator and missing persons investigator duties and responsibilities

Licensed private investigator example responsibilities.

  • Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
  • Deliver subpoenas, interview witnesses and clients, write reports, some surveillance experience.
  • Serve subpoenas and legal documents, supervise special events to include short and long term security operations.
  • Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.
  • Identify and accurately report extremely time sensitive and confidential data in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.

Missing persons investigator example responsibilities.

  • Participate in and lead the controlled purchase of illegal narcotics and firearms to apprehend suspects.
  • Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.
  • Ensure compliance of all plans and documentation by researching employment history, criminal records, civil filings, and DMV records.

Licensed private investigator vs missing persons investigator skills

Common licensed private investigator skills
  • Background Checks, 11%
  • Child Abuse, 10%
  • Insurance Fraud, 9%
  • Background Investigations, 8%
  • Minimum Standards, 8%
  • Administrative Hearings, 6%
Common missing persons investigator skills
  • Law Enforcement Officials, 100%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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