Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. Excludes “Private Detectives and Investigators” (33-9021).
National median · BLS
$93,790
▲ +0.22%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$99,430
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
114,430
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted)Loading…
Most jobsLoading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted)Loading…
Check your salary
Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.
Pay range for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$55,390
25th
$69,330
Median (50th)
$93,790
75th
$120,520
90th — top pay
$160,540
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
Type in either box; the other updates instantly.
⇄
Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
BLS projects employment of detectives and criminal investigators to grow 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 7,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
120,500 → 120,700
+200 jobs
Projected change
+0.2%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
7,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Plus less than 5 years experience
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
0.2% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Active Listening4.5
Speaking4.3
Critical Thinking4.1
Social Perceptiveness4.1
Reading Comprehension4.0
Complex Problem Solving3.9
Judgment and Decision Making3.9
Active Learning3.8
Writing3.8
Coordination3.6
Top knowledge areas
Law and Government4.6
Public Safety and Security4.5
Customer and Personal Service4.2
Psychology4.1
English Language4.1
Education and Training3.7
Computers and Electronics3.4
Communications and Media2.9
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareAdobe PhotoshopLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordSASStructured query language SQLAccessData FTKCase management softwareComputer aided composite drawing softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteCrime mapping softwareDataWorks Plus Digital CrimeSceneDeChant Consulting Services iWitness
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What detectives and criminal investigators do
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.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Detectives and Criminal Investigators, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $93,790.
