Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for tax investigators in the United States
Are tax investigator jobs in demand?
Tax investigator job and salary trends over time
Tax investigator jobs over time
Tax investigator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 116 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 118 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 120 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 121 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 126 | 0.00% |
Average tax investigator salary over time
Tax investigator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,077 | $16.86 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $34,604 | $16.64 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $34,320 | $16.50 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $33,495 | $16.10 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $32,820 | $15.78 | +1.2% |
Tax investigator jobs by state
Most common states for tax investigators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 115 | 17% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 78 | 7% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 67 | 7% |
| 4 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 209 | 6% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 192 | 6% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 626 | 5% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 361 | 5% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 357 | 5% |
| 9 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 314 | 5% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 303 | 5% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 261 | 5% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 194 | 5% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 96 | 5% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 62 | 5% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,644 | 4% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 710 | 4% |
| 17 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 454 | 4% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 344 | 4% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 217 | 4% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 28 | 4% |
Most common cities for tax investigators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paragould | 1 | 4% | $32,830 |
| 2 | West Memphis | 1 | 4% | $32,436 |
Tax Investigator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of tax investigator experts
University of Maryland
International Crime Scene Investigators Association
NALI - National Association of Legal Investigators
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Tax Investigator job market given the pandemic?
Gary LaFree: In terms of the criminology market, we are facing not only the pandemic but also the Black Lives Matter movement. These two events probably have their own impact, but they are difficult to separate. In terms of college education, the pandemic has not been all bad for universities-our criminology enrollments are strong right now. On the other hand, the job market is more uncertain because of the pandemic. The criminology market is also somewhat uncertain because of major questioning about the proper role of the police.
What Tax Investigator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gary LaFree: In criminology, having statistical skills is very useful for either an academic career or a research career. Researchers in police departments are getting increasingly sophisticated. Many criminology positions, both in academia and in the private sector, also depend on statistical training.
What general advice would you give to a Tax 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.
Daryl Clemens
President & Chairman of the BoardInternational Crime Scene Investigators Association
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Tax Investigators to find work opportunities?
Daryl Clemens: CSI jobs are primarily found with large police departments. Smaller departments (which is most of them) don't have the staff to specialize and will have patrol officers or detectives do the crime scene work in addition to their other duties.
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 Tax 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 Tax 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.