Private Investigator Exam 2026

The average private investigator salary is $49,159 per year according to Indeed. PIs investigate fraud (both insurance and employment) as well as marital infidelity, missing persons, background checks, asset searches and other civil investigations. Other services may include locating witnesses, performing surveillance and providing executive protection (unarmed or armed).

Private investigators typically charge an hourly rate for their work which can range from $75-$125 an hour depending on the specific needs of your case. They can also have set rates for certain types of investigations such as background checks or eviction searches. Some investigations require them to travel, if so, mileage charges are applied at a rate of $0.59 per mile. Additional expenses like renting equipment, photos and video recordings add to the overall cost of a case as well.

Many online search and database providers pay subscription or research fees to use their service and they are likely to pass those costs along to you. Additionally, there are often additional fees for specialized equipment like GPS tracking devices which can run $50-$75 a day and the cost to put them on and remove them. Other unforeseen expenses that can add up quickly include things like hotel rooms and food when conducting surveillance and stakeouts as well as other travel related expenses. Ultimately, trying to save money on a PI by hiring someone who is less experienced or qualified can end up costing you more in the long run as they won’t be able to complete your case successfully.