What type of investigation or specialty assignment pays the most?

Surveillance is the most profitable type of investigation due to the long time that it consumes as well as the ease of billing a customer. It is easy to show a customer that you have spent 10 hours watching a subject and bill them for those hours. There are several niche markets for private detectives that allow them to charge hundreds of dollars per hour for activities such as electronic and computer surveillance.

Auto repossession and security consulting are always in need and are the most stable forms of private detective work. Bail bonds enforcement is a very typical place for private detectives to start out. Most private investigators earn $100-$200 per hour when they are starting out. One thing to keep in mind is that the pay can be very high in some situations but you must produce to be paid and private investigation is a very competitive field.