Cost To Hire A Private Investigator - Prices, Rates And Fees

One of the most common questions is, “How much does it cost to hire a private investigator?” Not knowing the costs involved is why people hesitate to hire a private investigator. The answer to the question is that the cost to hire a private investigator varies widely based on factors such as the investigation services you need, the amount of time involved in the case, and other factors. In this article, we’ll discuss how prices are determined and explain what you can expect to pay.

⚠️ Search Public Records Investigator Tip: Enter a name below to instantly check for criminal history, arrests, and contact info. State ALAKAZARCACOCTDEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY SEARCH NOW » Sponsored Search by BeenVerified. Information availability varies by state.

Private investigators provide various services that range from very simple to highly complex. So, the first step in hiring a private investigator and assessing the cost is understanding why you need their services. The more straightforward and specific you can be regarding your needs, the better you can nail down the actual cost.

Investigative services vary widely in their complexity, as do their costs. For example, searching for a missing person might be as easy as a simple Google search. It could take months or even years of online searching, personal interviews, travel to other states, etc., to locate the person.

Cost to Hire a Private Investigator: Things to Consider

Following is an overview of the costs that may be involved in hiring a private investigator. It is important to understand that not all of these expenditures will be included in every case.

Retainer

Some private investigators will charge an upfront fee called a retainer. A retainer fee is similar to a deposit, which can be applied toward future work. The retainer amount will vary depending on the agency, market, and type of case. Ensure you clearly understand whether a retainer fee is required and how the money will be applied toward future investigative work.

Flat Fee Pricing vs. Hourly Rate Pricing

Hourly Rates and Fees

Most private investigators charge an hourly rate for surveillance or investigating a cheating spouse. The total cost is then determined by the hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours worked. Hourly rates are often negotiable, so agree on a price before hiring the PI to do the work. Following are some examples of hourly rates from various hiring sources:

• According to a study by Angie’s List, the average cost to hire a private investigator in the United States is $50 per hour.
• According to a study by Thumbtack in 2017, the average cost to hire a private investigator was $70 per hour.
• According to other industry experts, the average cost ranges between $40 and $200 per hour, depending on the job’s complexity.

Flat Rates and Fees

Private Eyes also charge a flat rate or flat fee for services such as a background check, missing person locates, court document retrieval, or processing serving. With flat fee pricing, the total price is the same regardless of the investigator’s hours working on the case.

For example, a private investigator recently told us that he charges anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for an infidelity investigation.

Data Retrieval

Many private eyes can access online databases to run background checks and look up information about people. Investigation agencies pay subscription or search fees to access the database and run reports. If your case involves an online database search, they will likely pass along some of those costs. The charges for these reports will vary.

Expenses and Miscellaneous Fees

Depending on your agreement and the needs of your case, a private investigator may ask you to cover any expenses associated with the case. Expenses associated with an investigation case may include supplies, court dues, postage, and communication charges (phone calls, text messages, etc.).

Investigation Experience and Expertise

The cost of hiring a private investigator can vary widely based on the experience level of the private investigator. A private eye with an extensive career involving military or government intelligence or a career in law enforcement will tend to be more expensive than someone just getting into the business. Theoretically, those with more experience are more likely to solve your case. Also, they are more likely to solve it in less time.

Market Differences May Affect the Cost to Hire a Private Investigator

The cost to hire a private investigator will vary depending on the market or geographic area being served. Prices will tend to be higher in metropolitan areas due to such factors as licensing, insurance, transportation, office space, etc. You should expect to pay more for a private investigator in markets where the cost of living is expensive, such as New York or San Francisco.

Reputation and Reviews

Research the investigator’s reputation by seeking testimonials or reviews from previous clients. Positive feedback and recommendations from trusted sources can indicate reliability and effectiveness. Look for online reviews and ask for references directly from the investigator. A solid reputation suggests that the investigator has a track record of successful cases and professional conduct.

Travel Expenses

If travel is involved during the case, most investigators will charge these expenses back to you. Depending on where the case leads, investigators may travel within the local area, to other states, and even internationally. Examples of travel expenses include:

• Mileage, gas, and parking fees
• Tickets for travel via plane, bus, train, boat, etc.
• Lodging expenditures for hotel rooms
• The cost of a burner phone or other communication-related costs

Travel expenses can add up quickly. So, be sure to have a very clear understanding of what you’re going to pay for.

Other Factors that May Affect Price

Other factors that may affect the price are the number of investigators assigned to the case, the risk involved, the need for specialized equipment, etc.

How to Pay

Another common question is how do I pay a private eye for their services? Most agencies will allow you to pay in a variety of ways. For example, you can pay by cash, check, or money order. Also, you can pay by credit cards such as Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Discover. In addition, some agencies can send you an electronic invoice that you can pay online using an automatic debit from your checking account. Of course, these forms of payment will vary depending on who you hire. Be sure to ask upfront about the types of payment they accept.

Hire a Private Investigator

For more information, see our List of Tips for Hiring a Private Investigator. Once you are ready to proceed, visit our Private Investigator Directory to find a list of agencies in your area. Be sure to contact multiple agencies to discuss your situation and get quotes.

Questions and Comments

If you have any additional questions about the cost to hire a private investigator, please post a message below.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Michael KissiahMichael Kissiah is the owner of Brandy Lane Publishing, LLC, which owns and operates eInvestigator.com. Michael created eInvestigator.com over 25 years ago, after working as a private investigator in the state of Florida. Since that time, he has become an expert at finding information online and has written over 1000 articles on topics related to the investigation industry. In addition, he is the author of the "Private Investigator Licensing Handbook", available at Amazon.com. Latest posts by Michael Kissiah (see all)

• How To Get a Private Investigator License in Indiana - January 1, 2026
• How To Get a Private Investigator License in Kansas - January 1, 2026
• Private Investigators for Parental Abductions & Missing Persons: What Police Can’t Do - December 1, 2025

Disclosure: As an associate with Amazon and BeenVerified, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and purchase the product or service, we receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This helps offset some of the costs of running our site. Thanks for your support.