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Boston Career Explorer

Protective Service

Private Detectives and Investigators

Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.

Also called: Asset Protection Detective, Field Investigator, Investigator, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Associate, Loss Prevention Detective

Median pay in Greater Boston
$60,910
$29.29/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
230
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+6.2%
50 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training; Less than 5 years of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$40,350$45,570$60,910$89,180$119,330

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
  • Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
  • Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
  • Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
  • Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
  • Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure63 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 65
  • Language-model AIOE 62
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 63

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

This job has moderate AI exposure, though there is little or no observed AI use in it so far. AI tools can help with searching databases and records, pulling information together, and drafting reports. They are less able to interview people, watch situations in person, or judge whether a claim is fraudulent.

Likely to change

  • Searching databases and public records
  • Drafting reports and case summaries

Still relies on people

  • Interviewing witnesses and observing people
  • Judging evidence and earning client trust

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and writing reports carry over directly. This job pays a Boston median of $110,150.

    Pay difference
    +$49,240 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +3.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

    Investigation experience helps in guiding investigators and checking that procedures follow the law. This job pays a Boston median of $108,190.

    Pay difference
    +$47,280 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +5.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    Investigating, observing, and report-writing skills carry over to patrol work. It pays a Boston median of $78,180 and has moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$17,270 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.7%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

4 programs near Boston (plus 1 graduate)

Related occupations

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