Private Investigator Cost: What to Charge Per Hour in 2026

The short answer

Private investigators commonly bill $50 to $150 an hour plus expenses, with surveillance (often two investigators) at $80 to $200 an hour and flat background checks at $100 to $500. Most work against a retainer paid up front.

Typical prices

• Hourly investigation: $50 to $150
• Surveillance (often two-person): $80 to $200
• Background check (flat): $100 to $500

What changes the price

• Case type (surveillance, records, background).
• One investigator or two.
• Equipment, travel, and mileage.
• Court testimony or detailed reporting.

Take a retainer, quote a range

You are paid for time and judgment, not a guaranteed result, so take a retainer up front and bill hourly plus expenses against it. Quote a range and never promise an outcome. When the retainer runs low, stop and refill it rather than working for free. Use the free calculator to ground your hourly rate.