Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Also called: Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) · Criminal Investigator · Detective · Fugitive Detective · Fugitive Investigator · Investigator
Median pay (national)
$93,580
$54,160–$159,410 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
110,790
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.7%
~7,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for detectives and criminal investigators shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $159,410 versus $54,160 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $93,580 leaves roughly 70% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.7% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 7,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Maryland pays the most for this role (median $125,630, +34% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $53,460 — a 135% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
- Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Adobe Photoshop
- Linux
- Microsoft Visio
- SAS
- Structured query language SQL
- AccessData FTK
- Case management software
- Computer aided composite drawing software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Crime mapping software
- DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
- DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
- Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Administrative