Detectives and Criminal Investigators
SOC code 33-3021 · O*NET-SOC 33-3021.00 · Medium preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$93,790
a year
Hourly
$45.09
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$99,430
$47.80 per hour
Middle 50%
$69,330 – $120,520
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$55,390 – $160,540
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
114,430
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $55,390
- $26.63/hr
- 25th percentile
- $69,330
- $33.33/hr
- Median percentile
- $93,790
- $45.09/hr
- 75th percentile
- $120,520
- $57.94/hr
- 90th percentile
- $160,540
- $77.18/hr
What do detectives and criminal investigators do?
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators earn?
The national median is $93,790 a year. The full range runs from $55,390 at the 10th percentile to $160,540 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a detectives and criminal investigators without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.5/5
- Speaking4.3/5
- Critical Thinking4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government4.6/5
- Public Safety and Security4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Psychology4.1/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Education and Training3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Communications and Media2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.