Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Daily life in this career centers on gathering information, solving complex problems, and analyzing data to resolve criminal cases. Investigators spend their time identifying key events, documenting details, and making critical decisions under pressure. They must think creatively to piece together evidence while maintaining a high level of cautiousness, integrity, and stress tolerance.

Success in this investigative field requires strong active listening, speaking, and critical thinking skills to interview witnesses and collaborate with colleagues. Detectives rely on their social perceptiveness and self-control to navigate tense situations. Their daily tasks demand a deep knowledge of law, government, and public safety. They also use principles of psychology, sociology, and English to understand human behavior and write clear reports.

Entering this field typically requires a high school diploma, though many professionals complete vocational training, earn an associate degree, or gain significant related experience. Students preparing for this career often major in criminal justice and corrections, security science and technology, intelligence, command control and information operations, or environmental and natural resources management and policy.

Depending on the location, some states list a license for this work. Professionals can also pursue specialized certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Examples of these credentials include the Certified Fraud Examiner from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Certified Law Enforcement Analyst from the International Association of Crime Analysts, and the Certified Legal Investigator from the National Association of Legal Investigators. Other options include the National Basic Crime Scene Investigator and the Professional Polygraph Examiner credentials.

The median annual pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $93,790. Salaries span a wide range based on experience, location, and agency, with the lowest 10 percent of earners making less than $55,390 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $160,540.

There are 114,430 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to experience little or no change, with a growth rate of 0.2 percent. Despite this flat growth, about 7,800 job openings are expected to become available each year to replace departing workers.