Detective / Criminal Investigator
Public SafetyYou'll investigate crimes after the patrol officers leave the scene. Interviewing witnesses, processing evidence, building cases, and working with prosecutors to put it all together. It's nothing like TV — there's way more paperwork, way less dramatic music, and cases take months, not 42 minutes. But cracking one that's gone cold? There's no better feeling in law enforcement.
Salary Range
Low
$52k
Median
$91k
High
$130k
10-Year Growth
3%
US Workers
116K
Education
Police academy + 3-5 years patrol experience (bachelor's degree increasingly preferred)
Environment
mixed
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Criminal investigation procedures
- ▸Interview & interrogation techniques
- ▸Evidence collection & chain of custody
- ▸Law enforcement databases (NCIC, CJIS, AFIS)
- ▸Surveillance equipment & techniques
- ▸Report writing & case documentation
- ▸Digital forensics basics
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Critical thinking
- ▸Attention to detail
- ▸Communication
- ▸Persistence
- ▸Emotional intelligence
- ▸Integrity
- ▸Interviewing skills
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Law enforcement databases (NCIC, CJIS, AFIS)
What you'll actually do
- 01Interview witnesses, victims, and suspects
- 02Process and analyze physical and digital evidence
- 03Write detailed investigative reports and case files
- 04Sit in a car for 6 hours on surveillance eating cold coffee and gas station snacks
- 05Coordinate with forensic labs and other agencies
- 06Testify in court as the investigating officer
- 07Follow up on leads that mostly go nowhere (but sometimes don't)
Career Path
Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.
Police Officer / Patrol
$45k–$70k
Detective / Criminal Investigator
YOU ARE HERE$65k–$100k
Senior Detective / Sergeant of Detectives
$90k–$120k
Lieutenant / Captain / Chief
$100k–$170k+
Related Shifts
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