Protective Service
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Also called: Criminal Investigator, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Detective, Fugitive Detective
US median pay
$93,790
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+0.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
7,800
120,500 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
What they do 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.
- Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
- Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Coordination3.6/5
- Persuasion3.4/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Negotiation3.2/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
Knowledge
- 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
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.