How to hire a private investigator

How to hire a private investigator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step private investigator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a private investigator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new private investigator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The private investigator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect private investigator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents private investigator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Private Investigator	Description	Hourly rate
   Private Investigator	Private detectives and investigators search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters. They offer many services, such as verifying people’s backgrounds and statements, finding missing persons, and investigating computer crimes.	$13-37
   Store Detective	Store detectives are security professionals who are hired by store or business owners to prevent the act of shoplifting. These detectives must conduct surveillance through CCTV to apprehend shoplifters and dishonest employees who committed theft within the store... Show more	$12-19
   Background Investigator	The primary job of background investigators is to conduct background checks into an individual's personal and professional history that can validate or disprove their identity and character. They perform background investigations as part of hiring new employees, making an investment, and choosing a public official... Show more	$13-43

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Background Checks
   • Background Investigations
   • Video Surveillance
   • Subpoenas
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Computer Database
   • Conduct Surveillance
   • Conduct Interviews
   • GPS
   • Video Cameras
   • Loss Prevention
   • Conduct Investigations
   • Investigative Reports
   • Criminal Cases

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all business reporting to include; payroll, taxes, client billing, account reconciliations and compliance reports.
   • Take ownership of the queue and promptly escalate any issues or obstacles to completing daily SAR filings
   • Conduct SIU, fraud, criminal, civil, and exploratory investigations as defined in client contracts.
   • Conduct different types of SIU investigations as well as civil, criminal, and asset background courthouse checks.
   • Serve subpoenas, coordinate witness court appearances, compile information from interviews, and developed/maintain community and informant contacts.
   • Create quality control documentation associate with manufacturing process, raw materials and quality testing procedures according to corporate and FDA guidelines.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your private investigator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A private investigator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, private investigators' average salary in oklahoma is 61% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level private investigators 63% less than senior-level private investigators.
   • Certifications. A private investigator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a private investigator's salary.

   Average private investigator salary

   $48,019yearly

   $23.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level private investigator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing a private investigator job description

   A private investigator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a private investigator job description:

   Private investigator job description example

   Job DescriptionSalary: $25 to $29
   

   Surveillance Investigator

   PhotoFax, Inc., a nationwide private detective agency, is currently hiring surveillance investigators to join our team in the Boston region .

   If you like to work autonomously in dynamic environments, surveillance investigations provide an exciting career path meant just for you! Join the PhotoFax team today and we provide the tools necessary to start your career as a Private Investigator.

   What your day will look like:

   • Monitoring, pursuing, and documenting individuals in a covert manner from a company issued-fully customized surveillance vehicle
   • Pre and post surveillance briefing with your case manager to discuss objectives, surveillance tactics, and case details
   • Detailed reporting on daily case observations
   • Uploading video evidence obtained to the company database
   • Frequent Regional Travel (in the company issued vehicle)

   Click to view our recruiting video!

   What you will gain:

   • Experience that will lead to other opportunities in:
     • Investigations
     • Law enforcement
     • Upper claims management
     • Growth within PhotoFax
   • A company issued vehicle customized for surveillance and all equipment necessary to do the job
   • Hands on training with our experienced trainers with 34 years of investigative knowledge
   • Full health benefits package including matching 401K
   • Performance based reviews and bonuses
   • Paid overtime and travel
   • Cell phone reimbursement

   What you need to apply:

   
   

   • High school diploma or GED
   • Clean driving record with minimal infractions
   • Must currently reside in the greater Boston area
   • Flexibility to work any day of the week including weekends and holidays
   • Willingness to travel with frequent overnight stays
   • No previous experience is necessary; we provide all training and licensing

   Please note that each individual state has its own licensing rules and restrictions. If you are concerned with possible past legal infractions or items on your criminal history report, please contact your state's private investigation licensing board and ask them specifically if your past has anything that will restrict you from getting licensed as a private investigator in your state and surrounding states as well. (Due to the frequent travel involved with this job.)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right private investigator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your private investigator job on Zippia to find and recruit private investigator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting private investigators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new private investigator

   Once you've decided on a perfect private investigator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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