A private investigator usually costs about $75 to $125 per hour , with many services landing in the $600 to $1,000 per day range; specialized work can run $125 to $400 per hour.

Quick Scoop

Here’s the simple version:

  • Basic surveillance or standard cases: $75 to $125/hour.
  • Specialized investigations: $125 to $400/hour.
  • Common daily rate: $600 to $1,000/day.
  • Typical service examples: background checks can be about $100 to $500, while a cheating spouse investigation may be about $800 to $2,500.

What changes the price

The cost depends on the investigator’s experience, the complexity of the case, and the type of work involved.

More complicated cases, team-based surveillance, and high-profile or specialized work usually cost more.

What to expect

If you’re comparing quotes, ask whether the price includes travel, report writing, equipment, or extra investigator time, since those can change the final bill.