Are you considering becoming a private investigator or looking to hire one? Use our Private Investigator Salary Calculator to get a personalized estimate of annual salaries and average hourly rates based on location, experience, certifications, and the type of investigative work. Whether you’re curious about the cost of hiring a private investigator or estimating your own potential earnings in the field, this tool helps provide clear insights.
Key Features:
- Location-Based Salary Estimates: Understand how salaries vary depending on the country (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or Europe).
- Experience Level: Enter your years of experience to see how it influences your salary. More experienced investigators command higher pay.
- Certifications Bonus: If you're certified (e.g., CFE, Cybersecurity certifications), input them to see how these can significantly increase your potential salary.
- Investigation Specializations: Different types of investigation—whether it’s surveillance, corporate fraud, cybersecurity, or legal support—affect salary. This calculator factors these differences to give an accurate estimate.
- Employment Type: Whether you are self-employed or working for an agency will impact how much you can expect to earn. Self-employed private investigators generally charge more due to overhead costs.
Who is This Tool For?
- Aspiring Private Investigators: If you're considering a career as a PI, this calculator helps estimate what you can earn based on your experience, location, and specialization.
- Current Investigators: Already in the field? Use the tool to benchmark your salary against industry standards.
- Those Looking to Hire a PI: If you're seeking to hire a private investigator, this calculator can help you understand the typical hourly rate you might expect based on the investigator’s qualifications and location.
How to Use the Calculator:
- Select Your Location: Choose the country where you plan to work or hire a private investigator. Salary expectations vary significantly by region.
- Input Your Years of Experience: More experienced investigators typically earn more. Simply enter how long you've been working in the field.
- Enter Certifications: If you have any specialized certifications (e.g., CFE, cybersecurity), add them here for an additional salary boost. You can add multiple certifications, separated by commas.
- Select Your Employment Type: Are you self-employed or working with an agency? Self-employed investigators often charge higher rates due to overhead costs.
- Choose the Type of Investigation: Different investigations (e.g., corporate fraud, surveillance, cybersecurity) command different pay rates. Select the type of work you're interested in or looking to hire for.
After filling out these fields, click "Calculate Salary" to receive:
- Estimated Annual Salary: This is an estimate based on all the factors you've provided.
- Average Hourly Rate: Perfect for those who want to hire a PI or need to understand their potential hourly rate.