How to hire a special investigator

How to hire a special investigator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step special 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 special investigator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new special investigator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a special investigator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the special investigator you need to hire. Certain special investigator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 special 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.

   Here's a comparison of special investigator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Special Investigator	Description	Hourly rate
   Special Investigator	Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.	$14-38
   Marshal	The duties of a marshal primarily depend on their line of work or place of employment. They typically have high positions in various areas such as in the fire department, law enforcement, and even in aviation... Show more	$12-23
   Child Support Officer	Child support officers evaluate child support cases to identify the needed financial support. The officers interview relatives and parents and review court documents, and any other records... Show more	$11-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Background Checks
   • Child Abuse
   • Insurance Claims
   • SIS
   • Local Law Enforcement
   • SIU
   • Federal Bureau
   • CPS
   • Investigative Reports
   • Conduct Interviews
   • Insurance Fraud
   • National Security
   • Federal Agencies

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
   • Gather and analyze pertinent documentation, collect recorded statements, report fraud, and manage data in support of subsequent litigation.
   • Complete a DMV check to verify applicant identity.
   • Conduct in-depth financial investigations to determine patient's eligibility for Medicaid.
   • Ensure compliance of all plans and documentation by researching employment history, criminal records, civil filings, and DMV records.
   • Use specify techniques to safeguard PII including daily case document check out and bi-weekly case retention manifests.

   More special investigator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your special investigator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A special investigator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, special investigators' average salary in south carolina is 64% less than in maryland.
   • Seniority. Entry-level special investigators earn 61% less than senior-level special investigators.
   • Certifications. A special investigator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a special investigator's salary.

   Average special investigator salary

   $50,623yearly

   $24.34 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level special investigator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average special investigator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$85,878	$41
   2	New York	$70,915	$34
   3	Massachusetts	$68,620	$33
   4	Connecticut	$64,296	$31
   5	Delaware	$62,585	$30
   6	Hawaii	$60,348	$29
   7	Pennsylvania	$55,673	$27
   8	Michigan	$54,480	$26
   9	Texas	$51,528	$25
   10	Illinois	$46,755	$22
   11	Kansas	$41,642	$20
   12	Minnesota	$41,007	$20
   13	Iowa	$39,743	$19
   14	Nebraska	$39,723	$19
   15	North Carolina	$36,245	$17
   16	Florida	$34,027	$16
   17	Indiana	$33,277	$16

   Average special investigator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	City of Los Angeles	$83,720	$40.25
   2	Ford Motor	$79,803	$38.37	3
   3	Delaware State Government	$69,667	$33.49	6
   4	Tufts Medical Center	$68,651	$33.01
   5	Selective Insurance	$66,080	$31.77
   6	AmeriHealth Caritas	$59,950	$28.82	5
   7	Bank of America	$59,132	$28.43	32
   8	New York State Restaurant Association	$58,060	$27.91
   9	Minnesota State Fair	$53,650	$25.79	3
   10	GEICO	$52,563	$25.27	2
   11	Allianz of America, Inc.	$49,880	$23.98
   12	Monroe County	$48,972	$23.54	16
   13	State of Connecticut	$48,532	$23.33	3
   14	Iowa Department of Transportation	$46,417	$22.32
   15	Texas	$45,677	$21.96	32
   16	Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania	$39,149	$18.82
   17	Indiana State Police	$35,502	$17.07	1
   18	U-Haul	$34,941	$16.80

4. Writing a special investigator job description

   A good special investigator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a special investigator job description:

   Special investigator job description example

   Love the thrill of investigative work? Enjoy being around horses and the horseracing environment? If so, this is certainly the position for you! As a Special Investigator 1 with the Department of Agriculture, you'll collect and assemble pertinent facts of information towards any of various types of internal and external investigations. The scope of the investigations cover inquiries into possible violations of the rules of racing, activities of persons past and present, criminal and civil, who now hold or are applying for a Commission license. Join our team today!
   
   As a Special Investigator 1, you will enforce the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission so that the integrity of racing is upheld.
   
   Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
   Work Schedule and Additional Information:
   
   * Full-time employment.
   * Work schedule is vendor controlled and is determined by the racing schedule.
   
   Shifts alternate: Early shift 7:30 am - 3:30 pm and Late shift 10:00 am - 6:00 pm.
   * Must be available to occasionally participate in out of Comp testing, Fairs and Special Events.
   * A Commission employee license will be given for this position after time of hire.
   * Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
   * You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
   
   * Two years of experience in criminal investigation work and a bachelor's degree; Or
   * Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
   
   Additional Requirement:
   
   * You must be able to perform essential job functions.
   
   How to Apply:
   
   * Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
   * If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
   * Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted
   * Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
   
   Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
   
   * 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
   
   The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find special investigators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit special investigators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   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 special investigator

   Once you've decided on a perfect special 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new special investigator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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How much does it cost to hire a special investigator?