What is the Average Salary of a Private Investigator?
No one goes into any career imagining they'll be struggling to survive. Therefore, it's completely natural to wonder how much you'll earn working as a private investigator. Your salary as a private investigator will be determined by a number of factors including the type of cases you work on, your experience level and whether or not you have additional qualifications.
The important thing to remember is that as your skills and experience increase, so will your earnings. Don't expect to be earning a high salary within a year of starting out in private investigation.
What Are The Investigator Salaries For Different Tasks?
Some private investigators like to dabble in everything. This means they'll take on different kinds of cases depending on what's available. However, there are others who prefer to only focus on specific types of investigations. This can have an effect on how much salary they make in a given year.
According to some sources, investigators who focus on domestic investigations, such as finding missing persons, nuptial investigations and surveillance, can earn a salary of around £16,000 in a year. On the other hand, a private investigator with experience in covert filming can earn an annual salary of between £20,000 and £25,000. If an investigator is prepared to work outside regular business hours, this can greatly increase their annual salary.
Average Salary For Private Investigators In The Uk
There is no definitive figure for the average salary of private investigators in the UK. Some sources put the figure at £23,754, and others just say it's somewhere in the region of £20,000 - £30,000.
The reality is that there are various factors involved that make it difficult to rely on a particular average salary. These factors include:
- Some investigators have corporate employers, and others are self-employed
- Some investigators are licensed and others are not
- Investigator salaries are higher in some parts of the UK etc.
How Does Skill Level Affect Private Investigator Salary?
One of the most important things to point out is that a private investigator's salary will be greatly dependent on their skill level. An investigator who is just starting out, hence has no experience, can earn around £15,000 in a year. If this investigator works hard to gain experience and build a reputation, they may start earning an annual salary of up to £25,000.
However, skills are not just about experience. There's also the question of further education to consider. Some investigators invest in degrees that are relevant to the profession and this greatly affects their salaries. Such a person can earn an annual salary of between £50,000 and £100,000.