Private Investigator
Private investigators gather information to secure evidence. Evidence may relate to a wide range of private, corporate, and legal interests.
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Fraud Investigator, Investigator
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:
Starting | $17.78 |
---|---|
Overall | $20.35 |
Top | $26.19 |
Interest in compiling information for use in civil and criminal litigation matters; may also conduct polygraph tests (integrity surveys) for clients
Interest in conducting investigations to locate missing persons
Interest in speaking to question individuals to obtain information and evidence
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 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.
Private investigators look for evidence. In the course of their practice, they may:
To gather the information and evidence they need, private investigators may:
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.
Private investigators need:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 15 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 01, 2020 and Apr 14, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
Produce reports | 13 |
---|---|
Personal Suitability: Reliability | 13 |
Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 12 |
Patrol assigned areas | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Team player | 11 |
Personal Suitability: Judgement | 10 |
Business Equipment and Computer Applications: MS Word | 9 |
Business Equipment and Computer Applications: MS Outlook | 7 |
Enforce regulations to maintain order and resolve conflicts and to monitor establishment activities | 7 |
Private investigators must:
Individuals may be licensed in the following classes:
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:
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.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Private investigators gather information to secure evidence relating to a wide range of private, corporate and legal interests.
Under Alberta's Security Services and Investigators Act, Security Services and Investigators Regulation and Security Services and Investigators (Ministerial) Regulation, you must be licensed by Alberta Justice and Solicitor General 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.
An applicant for licensing must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen or legally entitled to work in Canada, fluent in spoken English, competent and of good character and not the subject of a criminal investigation; have no serious criminal record or outstanding criminal charge; and successfully complete training and examination requirements. For official, detailed information about licensing requirements, visit the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General website.
Private investigators who are licensed and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for licensing in Alberta if they meet the training standards for Alberta. In order to perform investigation work in Alberta an Alberta licence is required. For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory? and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
Security Services and Investigators Program
Alberta Justice and Solicitor General
9th Floor John E. Brownlee Building
10365 - 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5J 3W7
Phone number: 1-877-462-0791
Fax number: 780-427-4670
Website: www.securityprograms.alberta.ca
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.
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:
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:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
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.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $15.00 | $27.57 | $17.78 | $16.00 |
Overall | $15.00 | $32.29 | $20.35 | $19.59 |
Top | $15.00 | $37.38 | $26.19 | $22.78 |
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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Public Administration | $71,577 |
---|---|
Health Care & Social Assistance | $66,898 |
Educational Services | $48,920 |
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $47,384 |
ALL INDUSTRIES | $35,929 |
Business, Building and Other Support Services | $32,757 |
Retail Trade | $30,149 |
Information, Culture, Recreation | $29,887 |
Accommodation & Food Services | $18,621 |
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.