Title: Bounty Hunter and Fugitive Recovery Salaries
Headings: Fugitive Recovery Salaries and Hiring Outlook
Fugitive Recovery Salaries and Hiring Outlook
How Much Do Bounty Hunters Make?
Fugitive Recovery Salaries by State
Additional Resources

Content: Bounty Hunter and Fugitive Recovery Salaries
Fugitive Recovery Salaries and Hiring Outlook
Since the profession of bounty hunting, or fugitive recovery, is only regulated in about half of the states, the salaries for these professionals can vary significantly. Keep in mind that those with more training and education may be able to command higher pay rates, but bounty hunting is also a profession based on relationships: the relationships you build with bail agents can be just as important as education or training. Read more about the profession of fugitive recovery on our expert interviews page, where you can read our interviews with reputable bounty hunters about their successes and challenges in the field. How Much Do Bounty Hunters Make? Because the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not currently report employment data for bounty hunters, we use the data reported for private investigators and detectives as a benchmark. The average salary for private detectives and investigators in 2019 was $57,000. 1 The highest-paying states for these professionals were Washington DC ($69,790 per year), California ($68,570 per year), and Delaware ($65,610 per year). 1 The states with the lowest average annual salary for private detectives and investigators were Florida ($41,750 per year), Indiana ($42,430 per year), and Oklahoma ($44,180 per year). 1
Bounty hunters often supplement their income by taking on work in related fields.