Protective service
Detectives and criminal investigators
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Median pay
$93,790
Growth to 2035
0%
little or no change
Openings a year
7,800
Time to qualify*
2.5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Detectives and criminal investigators
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- Less than 5 years
Calculate your switch to detectives and criminal investigators
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Detectives and criminal investigators: 67% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
- 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 facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
Also called: Criminal Investigator · CSI (Crime Scene Investigator) · Detective · Fugitive Detective · Fugitive Investigator · Investigator · Narcotics Detective · Narcotics Investigator
Outlook and AI
Detectives and criminal investigators held 120,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 120,700 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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