How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost in 2026?

• According to our research, the average hourly rate of a private investigator is $132 / hr
• The rate will vary based on the specifics of your case and whether you need an hourly-rate service or a fixed-rate one
• Before you commit, talk to an attorney to ensure that you really need to hire a detective

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 32 private investigation firms across the top 10 metros in the United States in April 2026. We determined that the average hourly rate of a private investigator is $132 per hour.

Source: Collected by Michael & Associates research team

How Much Is a Private Investigator?

Our data shows that you should expect to pay between $25 to $250 per hour for a private detective, with the average being $132. Of the 32 we contacted, 26 quoted an hourly rate. Of the remaining six firms, four said pricing depends on the type and scope of the investigation, while two said they only provide a quote after an initial consultation.

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:

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 32 companies we contacted what they charge for flat services. Not all of them gave a firm answer, but here are some of what we learned.

Background investigations: $250.00 to $800.00

Criminal history: $250.00

Financial asset searches: $1,300

Brokerage account searches: $1,550

Non-financial asset searches: $525

Subject locates: $775 to $875

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 $125 and $550 for an investigative report

Legal fees: Ask if you’ll be required to pay additional fees if the investigator 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

In April 2026, the research team at Michael & Associates attempted to contact 32 private investigators across the top 10 metro areas in the United States. Of those 32 firms, 26 quoted an hourly rate. Of the remaining six firms, four said pricing depends on the type and scope of the investigation, while two said they only provide a quote after an initial consultation.

We calculated the average hourly rate using the 26 quoted hourly rates and reviewed flat-rate pricing separately when firms provided it.

View Full Data Table

Company names redacted for privacy reasons.