DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
33-9021 Private Detectives and Investigators
Occupational Description:
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.| Percentiles | |||||||||
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| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | N/A | N/A | N/A | $27.99/hr | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U S | 35,000 | 2,800 | $27.89/hr | $1.26/hr | $14.87/hr | $18.12/hr | $24.71/hr | $33.25/hr | $43.92/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2023 - 2025 | |
| Security Guards | 10,890 | $16.81/hr | 0.9% |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 4,860 | $25.45/hr | -0.3% |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 1,390 | $37.72/hr | 1.6% |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | 120 | $36.34/hr | N/A |
| Transit and Railroad Police | N/A | $36.46/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Private Detectives and Investigators
- Enforces conformance to establishment rules and protects persons or property.
- Questions persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons, or individuals character or financial status.
- Observes employees or customers and patrols premises to detect violations and obtain evidence, using binoculars, cameras, and television.
- Assists victims, police, fire department, and others during emergencies.
- Evaluates performance and honesty of employees by posing as customer or employee and comparing employee to standards.
- Locates persons using phone or mail directories to collect money owed or to serve legal papers.
- Testifies at hearings and court trials to present evidence.
- Writes reports and case summaries to document investigations or inform supervisors.
- Alerts staff and superiors of presence of suspect in establishment.
- Confers with establishment officials, security department, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, and receive instructions.
- Counts cash and reviews transactions, sales checks, and register tapes to verify amount of cash and shortages.
- Obtains and analyzes information on suspects, crimes, and disturbances to solve cases, identify criminal activity, and maintain public peace and order.
- Warns and ejects troublemakers from premises and apprehends and releases suspects to authorities or security personnel.
- Examines crime scene for clues or fingerprints and submits evidence to laboratory for analysis.
