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Private Investigator: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Are you self-motivated and persistent in getting things done? Are you good at gathering information from people and documents? Is your memory sharp? Then you may want to track down a career as a private investigator.
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Occupations in Alberta
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Private Investigator

Private investigators gather information to secure evidence. Evidence may relate to a wide range of private, corporate, and legal interests.

Contents View Full Profile
Also Known As

Fraud Investigator, Investigator

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

  • 2006 NOC: Private Investigators (6465.2) 
  • 2006 NOC-S: Other Protective Service Occupations (G625) 
  • 2011 NOC: Security guards and related security service occupations (6541) 
  • 2016 NOC: Security guards and related security service occupations (6541) 
Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Private Investigators

2006 NOC: 6465.2

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information for use in civil and criminal litigation matters; may also conduct polygraph tests (integrity surveys) for clients

INNOVATIVE

Interest in conducting investigations to locate missing persons

SOCIAL

Interest in speaking to question individuals to obtain information and evidence

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Private investigators look for evidence. In the course of their practice, they may:

  • Work to prevent loss caused by theft or fraud in businesses
  • Watch disability insurance claimants to see if they are working at another job while claiming disability, or if their activities are consistent with the claimed disability
  • Conduct searches for missing persons
  • Gather information for lawyers about defendants or witnesses in criminal and civil court cases
  • Gather material or evidence for individuals in divorce or child custody cases
  • Do pre-employment checks
  • Work with government agencies, such as provincial family maintenance agencies

To gather the information and evidence they need, private investigators may:

  • Interview subjects’ employers, friends, relatives, and other sources
  • Take photographs and videotape events
  • Locate witnesses and obtain statements from them
  • Search through public records
  • Keep individuals under surveillance
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

No two assignments are ever the same. However, long hours and hard work are usually involved. A lot of it is routine. Private investigators may work regular office hours evenings, nights, and weekends. A lot depends on the assignment.

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Private investigators need:

  • Tact
  • Interpersonal and communication skills
  • A good memory
  • Mental alertness and physical fitness
  • An inquiring mind and affinity for detail
  • A determination to investigate each problem thoroughly
  • Integrity and the ability to remain neutral
  • Camera skills (photo and video)
  • The ability to blend into different environments
  • The ability to assess how evidence relates to an investigation
  • Skill in report writing
  • Excellent driving skills to maintain sight lines during mobile surveillance

They should enjoy:

  • Adjusting quickly to changing work duties
  • Finding creative ways to search for individuals
  • Working with people
  • Taking a methodical approach to compiling information
  • Working alone for long periods
  • Using technology and electronic devices
  • Making on-the-spot decisions when case conditions change

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Security guards and related security service occupations

2016 NOC: 6541

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 92 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 02, 2022 and Mar 21, 2023.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Construction Specialization: Reliability
Attention to detail
Tasks: Patrol assigned areas
Walking
Tasks: Enforce regulations to maintain order and resolve conflicts and to monitor establishment activities
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication
Construction Specialization: Judgement
Tasks: Produce reports
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills
Construction Specialization: Team player
Construction Specialization: Reliability 49
Attention to detail 49
Tasks: Patrol assigned areas 44
Walking 40
Tasks: Enforce regulations to maintain order and resolve conflicts and to monitor establishment activities 38
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication 37
Construction Specialization: Judgement 36
Tasks: Produce reports 35
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills 31
Construction Specialization: Team player 30
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Minimum Education Varies

Private investigators must:

  • Be licensed by the Government of Alberta, or employed by a licensed agency
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a Canadian citizen or legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Be competent and of good character
  • Have no serious criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
  • Have no outstanding charges and not be the subject of a criminal investigation
  • Be fluent in English (to communicate with the public and first responders in emergency situations)

Individuals may be licensed in the following classes:

  • Security services worker, including loss prevention worker, security alarm responder, executive protection worker, and patrol dog handler
  • Investigator
  • Locksmith
  • Automotive lock-bypass worker

To do investigative work, individuals must hold an investigator class licence. They may hold more than one licence class. However, those with an investigator class licence may not also hold locksmith or automotive lock-bypass license classes.

Applicants for the investigator class licence must complete a mandatory Alberta Professional Investigator Training Course (AIT). (They may provide proof of equivalent training.) They must also pass the provincial final exam. For more information, including training details and approved training providers, see the Government of Alberta website.

Some agencies require job applicants to have:

  • Valid first aid and CPR certificates
  • A valid driver’s licence
  • A vehicle

Related experience or education is an asset when seeking employment. Many agencies provide further training programs for new employees.

Investigators need a good working knowledge of the city or area where they work.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Canadian Criminal Justice Academy
Grant MacEwan University
Medicine Hat College

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Private Investigator

Private investigators gather information to secure evidence relating to a wide range of private, corporate and legal interests.

Legislation

Under Alberta's Security Services and Investigators Act [pdf], Security Services and Investigators Regulation [pdf] and Security Services and Investigators (Ministerial) Regulation [pdf], you must be licensed by the Government of Alberta to conduct surveillance activities or seek information about crimes, misconduct or allegations; causes of accidents, injury or damage; the activities or reputation of a person; or the location of property or whereabouts of a person.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Private Investigator.

 

Additional Information 

Further certification may be an asset when seeking work. For example, ASIS International offers Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) accreditation. It is recognized in the US and is gaining recognition in Canada.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Most private investigators (PI) work for investigation companies and security agencies. Some start their own agencies.

To open an agency, a PI needs a contract business licence from the Government of Alberta. Applicants for this licence must:

  • Be a registered company in Canada with an address in Alberta
  • Hold a business licence or permit in the municipality where the business operates, if applicable
  • Carry $1 million liability insurance
  • Ensure that co-owners, partners, and board members have no serious criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
  • Have no outstanding criminal charges and not be the subject of a criminal investigation
  • Pay a licensing fee of $1,500 for a 3-year term

Applicants who are sole proprietors must meet both business and individual requirements. (See Educational Requirements.) That is, they must submit both business and individual licensing application forms and documents. They are only required to pay the $1,500 business licensing fee.

Advancement opportunities are limited.

Private investigators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6541: Security guards and related security service occupations. In Alberta, 76% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Trends and events affecting overall employment, especially in the industries listed above)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

In Alberta, the 6541: Security guards and related security service occupations occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 211 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Private investigators are most often paid hourly with mileage. Some are paid a commission according to the fee paid by the client. Earnings vary a great deal depending on employer and experience.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Security guards and related security service occupations

2016 NOC: 6541
Average Wage
$20.09
Per Hour
Average Salary
$38,019.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6541 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.00 $28.81 $17.92 $15.00
Overall $16.00 $35.06 $20.09 $17.00
Top $17.00 $37.06 $23.52 $22.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

Public Administration
Health Care & Social Assistance
Educational Services
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
ALL INDUSTRIES
Retail Trade
Information, Culture, Recreation
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Accommodation & Food Services
Public Administration $77,425
Health Care & Social Assistance $59,185
Educational Services $48,415
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing $47,444
ALL INDUSTRIES $38,019
Retail Trade $35,993
Information, Culture, Recreation $34,207
Business, Building and Other Support Services $33,187
Accommodation & Food Services $22,491

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
62%
62%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
30%
30%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
17%
17%
Vacancy Rate
5%
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Health, Recreation and Human Services
    • Legal Studies
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019

Alberta Association of Private Investigators website: aapionline.ca

Alberta Justice and Solicitor General website: www.alberta.ca/ministry-justice-solicitor-general.aspx

Canadian Association of Private Investigators website: capicanada.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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