Title: How to Become a Bounty Hunter: Requirements, Salary & License
Headings: How to Become a Bounty Hunter: Requirements, Salary & License
How to Become a Bounty Hunter: Requirements, Salary & License
Career Information at a Glance
What are the Duties of a Bounty Hunter?
What are Bounty Hunters Paid?
How Do You Become One?
Do You Need a License to Be a Bounty Hunter?
What's the Job Outlook for Bounty Hunters?

Content: View Schools
Career Information at a Glance
Bounty hunters -- also called bail fugitive investigators, bail enforcement agents and fugitive recovery agents -- are investigators who track down fugitives in exchange for a reward. Bounty hunters may conduct stakeouts, do reconnaissance work and question friends, coworkers and relatives to discover a fugitive's whereabouts. See the table below for a quick overview of bounty hunting as a career. Education Required
High school diploma
Training Required
On-the-job training
Key Skills
Patience, resourcefulness, street smarts
Licensure Required
In some states
Job Growth (2018-2028)
8% (for all private detectives and investigators)*
Median Salary (2019)
$50,868**
Source: * U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **Payscale.com
What are the Duties of a Bounty Hunter? When a person gets arrested, he or she can pay bail to get out of jail in exchange for agreeing to appear in court at a predetermined date and time. If they don't show up for their hearing, or if they skip town, they are considered a fugitive of the law. Bounty hunters track down these fugitives and bring them in for a cut of the bail bond money, usually around 10%. To find fugitives, bounty hunters use a wide range of tactics. They may search social media, interview people who might know the fugitive and conduct stakeouts.