Techniques for performing peer discovery in a wireless network are described. A device may perform peer discovery to detect and identify other devices of interest. In an aspect, the device may perform peer discovery based on a hybrid mode that includes autonomous peer discovery and network-assisted peer discovery. In another aspect, the device may perform peer discovery based on a push mode and a pull mode. For the push mode, the device may occasionally transmit and/or receive a peer detection signal. For the pull mode, the device may transmit and/or receive a peer discovery request when triggered. In yet another aspect, the device may perform event-triggered peer discovery (e.g., for the pull mode). In yet another aspect, the device may perform peer discovery using both a downlink spectrum and an uplink spectrum. In yet another aspect, the device may transmit a peer detection signal in a manner to improve detection and/or increase payload.