What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Private Detectives and Investigators in the U.S. earn more than $51,220 a year — the middle 80% land between $36,740 and $97,630. About 35,580 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Private Detectives and Investigators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$51,220typical pay / year
35,580people in this work
$97,630+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing6
Interview individuals
+Interview Marcus Reed and two workplace witnesses about last Tuesday’s late shift: record their full…
Interview individuals
+Interview Marcus Reed and two workplace witnesses about last Tuesday’s late shift: record their full statements, note inconsistencies, probe for observations of unusual persons or vehicles, and flag any safety breaches that suggest motive or negligence.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Search online, public, and court records
+Run a thorough search on Olivia Kline using online directories, public property records, and last year’s…
Search online, public, and court records
+Run a thorough search on Olivia Kline using online directories, public property records, and last year’s county court files to compile addresses, aliases, liens, and any recent litigation; export a consolidated timeline of hits and suspicious links.
The tools that do the workWeb browserCourt records databasesjob descriptionsO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Prepare reports on findings
+Assemble a client report summarising surveillance findings from June 3–9, include timeline, photographed ID…
Prepare reports on findings
+Assemble a client report summarising surveillance findings from June 3–9, include timeline, photographed ID matches, transaction records, and recommended next steps, proofread for legal risk, and deliver the PDF to the client by Friday evening.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordComputer imagingjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Investigate crimes
+Plan and execute a discreet neighbourhood canvass and CCTV records query for the burglary at 42 Elm Street,…
Investigate crimes
+Plan and execute a discreet neighbourhood canvass and CCTV records query for the burglary at 42 Elm Street, catalogue witness statements and video clips, tag evidentiary items with chain-of-custody, and submit the case brief to the client within 48 hours.
The tools that do the workWeb browserCourt records databasesjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Collect evidence for clients
+Conduct hands-on evidence collection for the client's infidelity investigation: gather timestamped…
Collect evidence for clients
+Conduct hands-on evidence collection for the client's infidelity investigation: gather timestamped photographs, record observations with location stamps, secure physical items, log chain-of-custody, and compile an exhibit packet to hand over at the meeting on Monday.
The tools that do the workComputer imagingMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Do background checks
+Run comprehensive background checks on the candidate, verify employment and education, screen criminal and…
Do background checks
+Run comprehensive background checks on the candidate, verify employment and education, screen criminal and civil filings, summarise adverse findings with sources and risk level, and email the cleared report to HR by Tuesday morning.
The tools that do the workLexisNexisMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
The daily work16
Conduct investigations for clients
+Prepare a clear investigative plan for Maria Torres that lists the facts she wants verified, the legal…
Conduct investigations for clients
+Prepare a clear investigative plan for Maria Torres that lists the facts she wants verified, the legal boundaries I must respect, surveillance priorities for the next two weeks, and the specific deliverables I will provide at case end.
The tools that do the workWeb browserO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Investigate financial fraud
+Trace the flow of funds for Jonathan Kim by assembling bank payment timelines, flagging unexplained…
Investigate financial fraud
+Trace the flow of funds for Jonathan Kim by assembling bank payment timelines, flagging unexplained transfers, identifying likely shell entities and preparing a one-page summary of probable fraud indicators for his attorney.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelCourt records databasesESCOO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Interview witnesses and suspects
+Arrange and document interviews with three witnesses in the West End incident: propose meeting times, list…
Interview witnesses and suspects
+Arrange and document interviews with three witnesses in the West End incident: propose meeting times, list the open questions to ask, note credibility checks I will run and draft a signed statement template they can confirm on site.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NETWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Find missing persons
+Locate missing person Elena Ruiz by compiling recent address history, contacts, last known locations, social…
Find missing persons
+Locate missing person Elena Ruiz by compiling recent address history, contacts, last known locations, social traces and travel records, then prioritise leads to check in person over the next 72 hours.
The tools that do the workLexisNexisFacebookESCOjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Conduct surveillance activities
+Plan a four-day covert surveillance on the Springfield property: schedule observation windows, assign roles…
Conduct surveillance activities
+Plan a four-day covert surveillance on the Springfield property: schedule observation windows, assign roles for vehicle and foot teams, define evidence capture standards and a safe-exit plan if the subject’s behaviour escalates.
The tools that do the workComputer imagingESCOWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Assist in child custody cases
+Support the Carter custody file by documenting parental routines, school drop-off evidence, any signs of…
Assist in child custody cases
+Support the Carter custody file by documenting parental routines, school drop-off evidence, any signs of substance use, and producing a concise chronology and photographic log the family lawyer can submit to court.
The tools that do the workCourt records databasesComputer imagingESCOWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Take photos
+Photograph the subject's comings and goings at 223 Elm Street over three evenings, capture clear license…
Take photos
+Photograph the subject's comings and goings at 223 Elm Street over three evenings, capture clear license plates and faces from public vantage points, log times and weather, and deliver ten high-resolution images with captions by Monday noon.
The tools that do the workComputer imagingESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Address on-line harassment
+Document the abusive messages sent to my client on the social account, preserve each thread with timestamps…
Address on-line harassment
+Document the abusive messages sent to my client on the social account, preserve each thread with timestamps and sender profiles, identify linked accounts and IP indicators where visible, and prepare a sworn statement and package for the lawyer by Thursday.
The tools that do the workWeb browserComputer imagingESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Compile information into a file
+Assemble the case file for the Johnson investigation: import verified ID, witness statements, surveillance…
Compile information into a file
+Assemble the case file for the Johnson investigation: import verified ID, witness statements, surveillance logs, photos, and public-record checks into a single searchable report, add an executive summary and chronology, then export a PDF file for the client by Friday afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordCourt records databasesESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Hand over information to clients
+Deliver the case packet, the surveillance log, and the redacted photos to Mr. Patel and his attorney, explain…
Hand over information to clients
+Deliver the case packet, the surveillance log, and the redacted photos to Mr. Patel and his attorney, explain the timelines and legal risks, get a signed receipt and follow-up questions by Thursday afternoon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCOWikipedia
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.
+Meet the building manager, the head of security, and Officer Ruiz at the lobby at 10:00 tomorrow to review…
Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.
+Meet the building manager, the head of security, and Officer Ruiz at the lobby at 10:00 tomorrow to review recent incident reports, share suspect descriptions, confirm patrol windows, and record any instructions they give.
The tools that do the workWeb browserMicrosoft WordO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Perform undercover operations, such as evaluating the performance or honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
+Run the two-day covert customer shift at the downtown branch this weekend, document staff interactions,…
Perform undercover operations, such as evaluating the performance or honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
+Run the two-day covert customer shift at the downtown branch this weekend, document staff interactions, collect timestamps and receipts, and file a clean, anonymous report on observed policy breaches by Monday morning.
The tools that do the workComputer imagingO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Count cash and review transactions, sales checks, or register tapes to verify amounts or to identify shortages.
+Count the weekend takings, reconcile register tapes against bank drops and the POS summary, flag any…
Count cash and review transactions, sales checks, or register tapes to verify amounts or to identify shortages.
+Count the weekend takings, reconcile register tapes against bank drops and the POS summary, flag any discrepancies over fifty dollars, photograph the suspect tills, and send a variance report to Ms. Gomez by 6pm today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Uncover clues through record searches
+Search property deeds, motor vehicle records, and prior civil filings to pull every document mentioning…
Uncover clues through record searches
+Search property deeds, motor vehicle records, and prior civil filings to pull every document mentioning Daniel Harper, assemble a chronology with source citations, and deliver the bundle to Counsel by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workCourt records databasesLexisNexisjob descriptions
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Research and analyse information to uncover facts
+Compile interviews, surveillance notes, financial traces and online findings into a single fact report,…
Research and analyse information to uncover facts
+Compile interviews, surveillance notes, financial traces and online findings into a single fact report, identify contradictions and open leads, and circulate the draft to the client and to Investigator Shaw for review by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelESCO
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Court records databases
+Update the private file: add the new search hits from the county clerk and federal indexes into court records…
Court records databases
+Update the private file: add the new search hits from the county clerk and federal indexes into court records databases, flag confirmed dates for the subpoena run, note sources and next surveillance window for Thursday morning.
The tools that do the workCourt records databasesO*NET
Pasted it? Good. When the reply comes back, push once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part. — Did this prompt help?
Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
Activities this job lives in
The human activities behind the tasks — each with its honest AI ceiling.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
The rest of the map
Same library, five ways in.
Copyright © LLOS.ai · 2026 — original pedagogy, voice, and design — all rights reserved.
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses