Private Investigator Salary - Why A P.I. Career May Not Be Worth The Risk

The question of a private investigator salary and how much a P.I. can earn is hard to answer in one sentence given the different situations they work in today.Can you get rich in the private investigation industry? Well, it depends what you define as rich. As the owner of a large firm then yes, the scope to earn an excellent income is there but in all reality, the average P.I. will not be getting rich.Location, Location, LocationIt depends a lot on where a P.I. works. In less affluent areas, the scope for earning a good private investigator salary is not very high. The hours will be long and the standard of work more than likely restricted.The average hourly rate for P.I.s in the US is about $50 an hour. Some firms can charge as much as $100 an hour however, these will be firms who are positioned in high income areas. In low income areas, the rate can often be as low as $30 and hour.For someone starting off with a large firm, their expected private investigator salary will probably start off at about $20,000. In some cases, this could be fractionally higher. For an experienced P.I. with specialist skills then salaries above $50,000 are likely. Working for a firm doesn't necessarily mean you'll be put on a P.I. salary.In fact, many firms hire private investigators and pay them on an hourly basis.                   High Income EarnersWith the industry now growing at a rapid rate, the scope for people to specialize in one or two areas of the profession has increased. The need for corporations and legal firms to use private investigators on a more regular basis means if a P.I. has the necessary skills relating to a specialist area, then the ability to earn over $50 an hour is also increased. For example, hazardous waste investigations are considered high risk and the reward for taking on this type of job is higher than normal.On average, a private investigator salary in the U.S. taking into account all level incomes is between $35-$38,000. If this is the figure you're basing your reason for joining on, then consider this may be a little mis-leading given that high incomes will obviously inflate them to an extent.Yes, it can be an exciting career but private investigation also involves working long hours and for many, in potentially dangerous situations. One thing you can almost be guaranteed of today depending where you live is, there should never be a lack of work.