Private Detectives and Investigators
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security · Law Enforcement Services
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $35,990; experienced workers reach $112,180. About 260 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +18.9%
- Openings a year
- 34
- Employed in 2024
- 312
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent · Experience: Less than 5 years · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
6 programs, with the college that teaches each.
Skills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Active Listening4.1
- Speaking3.9
- Critical Thinking4.1
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Writing3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.5
- Monitoring3.5
What the work is
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
- Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
- Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
- Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
- Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
- Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
- Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less25%
- Certificate4%
- Some college12%
- Associate degree16%
- Bachelor's degree42%
Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.
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