How much does a Private detective make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Private detective
Image that illustrates Private detective

Private detective

34 500 kr

Other security and protection staff

30 200 - 47 100 kr / month

Women earn 93% of what men do.

Säkerhetsarbete

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Private detective

Average salary 34 500 kr
Males 35 400 kr
Females 32 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 10 Vacant jobs ->

What does a private investigator do? – Tasks and work environment

A private investigator works with gathering information and evidence for individuals, companies, or organizations. Tasks can include surveillance, background checks, investigations of suspected crimes or financial irregularities, and witness interviews. The work environment varies between fieldwork, which often requires discretion, and office work for analysis and report writing. The profession demands high accuracy, integrity, and the ability to handle sensitive information professionally.

Salary development over time

The salary of a private investigator has shown steady growth over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 30,700 SEK per month and increased to 32 400 SEK in 2023, which corresponds to an increase of about 5.5 percent. During the most recent year, 2024, the salary further rose to 34 500 SEK, an increase of nearly 6.5 percent compared to the previous year. This positive trend can be explained by increased demand for security services and investigative skills in society, as well as general wage adjustments within the security and surveillance industry. Higher education requirements and specialization within the profession also contribute to salary development. At the same time, the increase reflects an evolving industry where digital and technical skills are becoming increasingly important.

Many private investigators combine traditional methods with modern technology such as drones and digital tracking to streamline their investigations.

– statsskuld.se

Private investigator salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 34 500 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 30,200 SEK (male, government sector, pre-secondary education)
  • Highest salary: 47,100 SEK (male, public sector, post-secondary education 3 years or more)
  • Lowest salary for women: 30,600 SEK
  • Highest salary for women: 41,700 SEK
  • Hourly wage: 207 SEK (based on 166 working hours/month)
  • Gender difference: Women earn on average 93% of men's salaries
  • Regional differences: Data is lacking, but salaries may vary depending on location and sector

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a private investigator is often flexible but usually requires a combination of formal education and practical experience. Many have backgrounds in police work, security, or law, supplemented with specialized courses in investigation and surveillance.

  • Formal degrees: Post-secondary education in security, criminology, or law is common
  • Certifications/courses: Specialized courses in surveillance, law, and IT security
  • Internship/trainee: Practical experience in police or security industries is advantageous
  • Prerequisites: Basic security and legal knowledge are often required
  • Self-study/online: Additional training and courses online can be beneficial
  • Tips for choosing: Combining theory and practice provides the best chances for success

Common benefits and compensations

Private investigators are often offered benefits such as occupational pension, wellness allowances, and collective insurance schemes. Some employers may also provide company cars or reimbursements for travel and equipment. Flexible working hours are common, especially for consultants or self-employed professionals.

Competition and challenges

The profession is characterized by fierce competition, especially from companies offering digital investigation services. Challenges include staying updated with new technologies and legislation regarding privacy. Additionally, precision and patience are required, along with the ability to handle stressful situations. The ethical dimension is also significant, as the role demands discretion and lawfulness.

Tips for aspiring private investigators

To succeed, it's important to develop strong analytical skills and be meticulous throughout the investigation process. Good communication skills facilitate interviews and report writing, which are fundamental in the profession. Discretion and high integrity are essential, as the work often involves sensitive information. Practical experience in security or police work can provide valuable insights and networks. Finally, a private investigator should be flexible and adaptable to handle varied work environments and assignments.

Key facts about private investigators

  • Education level: Post-secondary education or relevant experience
  • Salary range: 30,200–47,100 SEK/month
  • Work environment: Combination of fieldwork and office work
  • Gender distribution: Women earn on average 93% of men's salaries
  • Demand: 191 available jobs according to current database

Career paths and future prospects

After 3–5 years in the profession, private investigators can advance to senior investigators or specialists in areas such as IT security or financial crimes. Some choose to start their own investigation firms or work as consultants. Employment agency forecasts indicate that demand for security and surveillance personnel, including private investigators, is expected to remain stable with some growth linked to increased security requirements in both private and public sectors. Digitalization and technological development also open new opportunities within the profession.

Frequently asked questions about private investigators

  • What does a private investigator earn?
    - The average salary is approximately 34 500 SEK per month, with variations depending on experience, education, and sector.
  • What education is required to become a private investigator?
    - There is no specific education, but post-secondary studies in law, criminology, or security are common, along with practical experience.
  • Is it difficult to get a job as a private investigator?
    - Competition is moderate, but demand is stable with several job openings in the field.
  • What qualities are important in the profession?
    - Attention to detail, integrity, discretion, and strong analytical skills are essential.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Differences may exist depending on location and sector, but detailed data is lacking.
  • Can private investigators work as self-employed?
    - Yes, many work as consultants or run their own firms in investigation and security.
  • Which sectors employ private investigators?
    - Public sector, private industry, and security companies are common employers.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-03 23:36:27

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Private detective is 47100 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 41700 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Private detective is 30200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 30600 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 95% 27200 kr 30600 kr
25-34 96% 30500 kr 33000 kr
35-44 93% 33900 kr 36400 kr
45-54 94% 34100 kr 36600 kr
55-64 91% 33700 kr 35700 kr
Snitt 93% 32000 kr 34500 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Private detective has the SSYK code 5419, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics