How Much Does a Private Investigator Cost? (2026)

Most U.S. private investigators charge $68–$175 per hour, depending on the work. General investigation typically runs $75–$200/hr, single-investigator surveillance $90–$175/hr, and corporate or forensic specialists $200–$400/hr.

Typical prices by service

Service	Typical cost
Surveillance (infidelity, custody)	$90–$175/hr, often 3–6 hr minimum; $600–$1,600 per day
Background check	$100–$900 flat
Locate a person / skip trace	$150–$1,200
Asset search	$1,000–$1,600
Process serving	$65–$125 routine; $100–$250 rush
Corporate / due diligence	$125–$400/hr; comprehensive due diligence $1,000–$10,000+

Retainers

Hourly cases usually require a retainer of roughly $500–$5,000, held and billed down as work is done. Flat-fee services are often paid up front.

Extra costs

Expect mileage (commonly billed near the IRS standard rate), database fees, rush/weekend premiums of 25–100%, and court testimony billed separately.

How our estimator works

We start from the national ranges above, multiply by your state's BEA Regional Price Parity (e.g. 112 for California = 12% above the national average), apply a complexity factor (complex ×1.25, rush ×1.5), multiply hourly rates by hours, then add miles × days × $0.70. The retainer estimate is 50% of the low total, bounded to $500–$5,000.

Sources

• Bark – Private Investigator Costs 2026 ($68–$125/hr average; background checks $100–$900; locating a person $700–$1,200; asset discovery $1,000–$1,600; surveillance $600–$1,600/day)
• HireSecurityNow – Hiring a Private Investigator (2026) ($75–$200/hr general; $90–$175/hr surveillance; retainers $1,500–$5,000; 3–6 hr minimums)
• NearbySpy – PI Cost 2026 ($100–$150/hr typical; custody/infidelity cases $1,500–$5,000; rush adds 25–100%)
• ServeCircuit – Process Server Rate Guide 2026 ($65–$125 routine; $100–$250 rush; $150–$400 skip trace + serve)
• U.S. BEA – Regional Price Parities by State (used for state adjustments)
• IRS – Standard Mileage Rates

Last checked October 2026.