Private Detectives and Investigators
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 311 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 79% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
AI could do much of this on its own
Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Perform undercover operations, such as evaluating the performance or honesty of employees by posing as customers or employees.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Very similar work+71% pay903 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 71% more—$103,800 vs your $60,641 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Inductive Reasoning
- Active Listening
- Law and Government
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Very similar work+57% pay5,945 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 57% more—$95,139 vs your $60,641 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Static Strength
- Explosive Strength
- Geography
- Education and Training
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Very similar work+110% pay1,203 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 110% more—$127,228 vs your $60,641 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Problem Sensitivity
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Therapy and Counseling
- Instructing
- Learning Strategies
First-line Supervisors of Security Workers
Very similar work+1% pay825 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 1% more—$61,403 vs your $60,641 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administrative
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Administration and Management
Forensic Science Technicians
Similar work+38% pay223 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 38% more—$83,960 vs your $60,641 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- Inductive Reasoning
- Active Listening
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Chemistry
- Science
- Biology
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Education and Training
Lawyers
Similar work+252% pay3,912 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 252% more—$213,674 vs your $60,641 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Inductive Reasoning
- Active Listening
- Law and Government
New skills to build
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Writing
Management Analysts
Somewhat similar work+88% pay9,427 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 88% more—$114,128 vs your $60,641 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Active Listening
- Inductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Operations Analysis