Detectives and criminal investigators
SOC Code: 33-3021Also known as:
Air Marshal, Burglary Investigator, Child Support Agent, Child Support Investigator, Child Support Officer
Median Annual Salary
$93,580
-0.7% growth (2024-2034)
8K
Openings/Year
118K
Current Jobs
What Detectives and criminal investigators Do
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
💰 Salary
$93,580
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-0.7%
Little or no change
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
8K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
Less than 5 years
Required before entry
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
117,900
Projected Employment (2034)
117,100
Related Careers
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970 •
+8.2% growth
Forensic science technicians
$67,440 •
+12.8% growth
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580 •
-0.7% growth
Police and sheriff's patrol officers
$76,290 •
+3.1% growth
Private detectives and investigators
$52,370 •
+6.0% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- 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.
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Detectives and criminal investigators
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a detectives and criminal investigators:
Criminal Justice/Police Science
20,474 degrees awarded •
528 colleges offer this program
Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
2,377 degrees awarded •
113 colleges offer this program
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
2,175 degrees awarded •
64 colleges offer this program
Criminalistics and Criminal Science
584 degrees awarded •
28 colleges offer this program
Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
324 degrees awarded •
36 colleges offer this program
Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
300 degrees awarded •
15 colleges offer this program
Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
224 degrees awarded •
21 colleges offer this program
Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis
190 degrees awarded •
15 colleges offer this program
Geospatial Intelligence
53 degrees awarded •
6 colleges offer this program
Signal/Geospatial Intelligence
52 degrees awarded •
8 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Detectives and criminal investigators
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become detectives and criminal investigators.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make?
The median annual salary for detectives and criminal investigators is $93,580.
What education do detectives and criminal investigators need?
Most detectives and criminal investigators positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Criminal Justice/Police Science, Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism, Criminal Justice and Corrections, General.
Is becoming detectives and criminal investigators a good career choice?
Detectives and criminal investigators is projected to see -0.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 7,800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for detectives and criminal investigators?
Top colleges for aspiring detectives and criminal investigators include
Florida State University, Florida International University, George Mason University, Rowan University, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to detectives and criminal investigators?
Detectives and criminal investigators may also be known as: Air Marshal, Burglary Investigator, Child Support Agent, Child Support Investigator, Child Support Officer, CIA Agent (Central Intelligence Agency Agent), City Detective, Counter Intelligence Agent, Crime Analyst, Crime Investigator Special Agent, Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), Criminal Analyst, Criminal Investigations Agent, Criminal Investigative Agent, Criminal Investigator, Criminal Investigator Special Agent, Criminal Profiler, Criminalist, Cyber Special Agent, Cybercrimes Investigator.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.