Contrary to popular belief, private eyes are not just a thing of the past. Often found in noir films and classic spy movies, what many people don’t know is that the business of Private Detectives and Investigators are still a prevalent part of today’s era. While their job description may have changed over the years due to technological advances, jobs such as these are as much a part of current life as they were back in the 1940s. With approximately 35,000 jobs that were labeled in terms of private detectives and investigators in 2014, there is a clear demand for this line of work, with the career path growing at a rate of 5% within the next 10 years.
The job of private detective consists of searching for information often in regards to legal, financial, and personal affairs, as well as finding missing people, doing background checks, and investigating crimes that involve computers/technology. People in this career often specialize in the art of tracking and finding of others and have a median pay of $48,000 per year, which averages to about $23 dollars an hour.
One of the great things about working as a private detective/investigator is the interchangeable work environment. In this job field, there are several places one is able to work, whether it be indoor or outdoor. The work environment really depends on your personal preference and is also based upon the case assigned. “Some spend more time in offices, doing computer searches, while others spend more time in the field, conducting interviews and performing surveillance.” Also the work hours are flexible and able to change with the need of the person, as “nearly 1 in 4 [people] were self-employed in 2014.”
In order to actually become a private investigator, a high school diploma or an equivalent is necessary. Also, on the job-training is essential. While less than 5 years of work experience is needed, this experience is often acquired from work in the law enforcement or the military. It is also important to make sure that a license is obtained in this line of work. A vast majority of states require a license in order to be classified as a legal detective.
The career of private detectives and investigators are a prime option for the youth of today, and if you would like to gain access to more information regarding private investigators and detectives, here are some useful sites:
