As defense attorneys, we work with private investigators often so we generally have a sense of cost.

But to get a more concrete answer, we spoke with 25 private investigation firms across the top 10 metros in the United States. We determined that the average hourly rate of a private investigator is $128 per hour.

Minimum	$25
Maximum	$250
Average	$128
Median	$125

Source: Collected by Michael & Associates research team

How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost?

Our data shows that you should expect to pay between $25 to $220 per hour for a private detective, with the average being $128. Of the 25 we contacted, 5 said the hourly rate ‘varies by the type of work needed’.

The actual rate will vary depending on the charges against you, the complexity of your case, the investigator’s experience and credentials, and your geographic location.

Below you can see our averages by metro area:

Metro	Average Hourly Rate
Atlanta, GA	$123
Boston, MA	$146
Chicago, IL	$153
Dallas, TX	$59
Houston, TX	$90
Los Angeles, CA	$121
Miami, FL	$100
New York, NY	$138
Washington, DC	$145
Average	$128

Some investigators offer flat-rate services. However, most of those are for routine services like employee background checks.

To break it down, you’ll first need to figure out whether you need an hourly-rate service or a fixed-rate one. The majority of Michael & Associates clients would require hourly-rate services, which add up very quickly. It doesn’t make financial sense for most of our clients to pay those rates.

However, if you’re in the middle of a contentious divorce or are fighting for child custody, it might be worth the expense to hire a private investigator if it resolves the issue and saves you years of legal fees and/or extended court battles.

Hourly-Rate Services

Services we typically see billed by the hour include:

• Surveillance
• Undercover investigations
• Field investigations
• In-person interviews
• Telephone interviews
• Online or database research
• Social media research

Flat-Rate Services (Per Jurisdiction or State)

We also asked each of the 25 companies we interviewed what they charge for flat services. Not all of them gave a firm answer, but here are some of what we learned.

Background investigations: $225.00 to $750.00 

Criminal history: $225.00

Financial asset searches: $1,250

Brokerage account searches: $1,500

Non-financial asset searches: $500

Subject locates: $750 to $850

Additional Costs

Retainer fees: This will depend on the scope of the work, but expect to deposit about $1,500 or more

Discretionary costs: Ask if you’ll be required to foot the bill for discretionary costs, including mileage, travel expenses, database access fees, and use of specialized equipment or software.

Report preparation: You may have to pay between $100 and $500 for an investigative report

Legal fees: Ask if you’ll be required to pay additional fees is called to testify in your case

Factors Influencing Detective Costs

If you need to hire an investigator, choose someone with experience. Ask for recommendations and read reviews. Are they accredited? For that kind of money, you need someone who is discreet and effective.

Several factors can impact the total cost:

Experience and expertise: Investigators with specialized skills (such as financial forensic analysts) will charge higher rates.

Geography: Investigators in urban areas may have higher rates due to higher operating costs.

Case complexity: A simple background check will cost less than cases requiring extended surveillance or a detailed investigation.

Length and scope of the investigation: If your investigation is expected to take a long time, the hourly costs will add up quickly.

Tools and equipment:  If your case needs special equipment, you’ll probably have to foot the bill.

READ MORE: How much does a DWI lawyer cost?

Ethical and Legal Considerations of Hiring a Private Investigator

Privacy laws: There are state and federal laws in place to regulate private investigators. Almost all states (including Texas) require licensing. Alaska, Idaho, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Wyoming are the five states that don’t require a license. The federal Privacy Protection Act and Electronic Communications Privacy Act limit the methods of information-gathering and surveillance that PIs conduct.

For example, these laws prevent investigators from intercepting electronic communications, including emails and texts. They also can’t trespass on private property to conduct surveillance.

Ethical boundaries: Ethical guidelines vary by state, but typically include:

• Maintaining client confidentiality
• Conducting investigations in a legal and honest manner
• Avoiding conflicts of interest

Admissibility of evidence: Ensure that any evidence gathered will be admissible in court. Your lawyer will be able to help you with this process. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on an investigation, then learn that the information gathered won’t help you in court.

Methodology

The research team at Michael & Associates attempted to contact 30 private investigators. We were able to get ahold of 25 investigators, 19 of which quoted an hourly rate.

View Full Data Table

Company names redacted for privacy reasons.

Main City	Company	Hourly Rate
New York, NY	Company 1	$150
New York, NY	Company 2	$125
Los Angeles, CA	Company 3	$125
Los Angeles, CA	Company 4	$117
Chicago, IL	Company 5	$175
Chicago, IL	Company 6	$85
Chicago, IL	Company 7	$200
Dallas, TX	Company 8	$59
Houston, TX	Company 9	$90
Washington, DC	Company 10	$150
Washington, DC	Company 11	$140
Miami, FL	Company 12	$75
Miami, FL	Company 13	$125
Atlanta, GA	Company 14	$120
Atlanta, GA	Company 15	$125
Atlanta, GA	Company 16	$125
Boston, MA	Company 17	$80
Boston, MA	Company 18	$250
Boston, MA	Company 19	$109