Overview
SourcedConduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
O*NET definition of Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 33-3021, including ATF Special Agent, CIA Officer (intelligence), DEA Special Agent, Detective / Criminal Investigator.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021) naming each level as required to be hired, 26 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedThe education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Police and Detectives”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 33-3021
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Medium Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialFederal grade and step: federal grade × step (GS/FWS/agency bands: FAA ATC, TSA SV, VA nurse, LEO special rates). Typical structure for a federal general schedule; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- GS/GL-5/7/9 entry (Pathways / recent grad; some law-enforcement jobs start higher, e.g. FBI special agents at GL-10)
- Career-ladder promotions to full-performance level (GS-9/11/12/13)
- GS-14/15 (competitive)
- Senior Executive Service
- within-grade steps 1–10 (steps 2–4 yearly, 5–7 every 2 yrs, 8–10 every 3 yrs)
- special rates: law-enforcement special base rates (GS-3–10); LEAP 25% premium for criminal investigators only
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 41,630 | $79,100 | $101,400 | $118,390 | $160,620 | $180,860 |
| State | 23,890 | $52,190 | $62,250 | $79,690 | $101,500 | $118,850 |
| Local | 48,780 | $49,490 | $61,110 | $78,280 | $99,030 | $124,420 |
| All government | 114,300 | $55,380 | $69,350 | $93,790 | $120,560 | $160,540 |
| Private sector | 120 | $61,510 | $67,660 | $83,130 | $98,620 | $105,810 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.4.8
- Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.4.8
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.4.7
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.4.7
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.4.6
- Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.4.6
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.4.6
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.4.6
- Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.4.6
- Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment.4.5
The 10 most important of 30 core tasks for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
SourcedFree practice tests
U.S. Marshals Service Deputy U.S. Marshal Assessment TestEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 2,980 | $94,220 | $160,760 | $195,190 |
| Maryland | 1,010 | $71,200 | $126,730 | $188,700 |
| California | 12,610 | $78,280 | $124,840 | $165,510 |
| Delaware | 140 | $65,830 | $122,050 | $164,510 |
| New Jersey | 3,080 | $73,100 | $116,300 | $165,570 |
| Washington | 1,850 | $84,500 | $115,790 | $162,860 |
| Alaska | 140 | $79,680 | $114,940 | $183,680 |
| Hawaii | 440 | $92,520 | $113,940 | $165,030 |
| Virginia | 3,180 | $62,730 | $112,760 | $195,190 |
| Massachusetts | 1,300 | $76,150 | $110,150 | $179,030 |
| Oregon | 520 | $81,990 | $107,450 | $158,060 |
| Vermont | 190 | $65,690 | $106,330 | $153,670 |
| Colorado | 1,930 | $73,010 | $105,480 | $161,550 |
| Arizona | 5,250 | $60,590 | $102,340 | $142,380 |
| New York | 9,600 | $62,130 | $101,240 | $166,800 |
| Nebraska | 290 | $68,900 | $100,530 | $155,210 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,370 | $63,770 | $97,580 | $154,360 |
| Connecticut | 940 | $78,990 | $95,240 | $130,540 |
| Nevada | 590 | $60,920 | $94,470 | $152,480 |
| Montana | 500 | $58,670 | $92,410 | $144,000 |
| West Virginia | 220 | $48,450 | $92,410 | $171,250 |
| Illinois | 3,270 | $53,960 | $91,190 | $157,060 |
| Wisconsin | 1,640 | $70,060 | $91,040 | $103,130 |
| Michigan | 2,220 | $71,590 | $90,650 | $164,670 |
| Texas | 18,870 | $52,510 | $90,510 | $132,850 |
| New Hampshire | 290 | $74,690 | $89,290 | $174,050 |
| Rhode Island | 360 | $75,910 | $88,450 | $159,140 |
| Maine | 550 | $63,290 | $88,310 | $120,430 |
| New Mexico | 2,020 | $47,480 | $86,840 | $111,970 |
| North Dakota | 420 | $58,350 | $82,290 | $129,230 |
| Wyoming | 170 | $62,230 | $81,880 | $149,280 |
| Oklahoma | 1,220 | $51,420 | $80,430 | $136,120 |
| Minnesota | 1,970 | $59,710 | $80,000 | $115,210 |
| Iowa | 410 | $58,930 | $79,560 | $141,650 |
| Ohio | 2,140 | $56,840 | $79,300 | $151,200 |
| Utah | 550 | $48,040 | $78,920 | $149,280 |
| South Dakota | 250 | $60,210 | $77,730 | $149,280 |
| Tennessee | 1,860 | $49,660 | $77,090 | $149,280 |
| Florida | 6,440 | $50,050 | $77,060 | $162,450 |
| Kansas | 1,060 | $49,610 | $75,740 | $114,030 |
| Missouri | 1,600 | $49,190 | $75,650 | $151,720 |
| Idaho | 630 | $53,120 | $72,520 | $125,550 |
| Kentucky | 720 | $51,640 | $71,670 | $149,280 |
| Indiana | 1,280 | $45,480 | $70,340 | $127,790 |
| Alabama | 1,340 | $43,060 | $66,290 | $150,780 |
| Georgia | 5,070 | $46,790 | $65,430 | $149,030 |
| North Carolina | 3,360 | $50,260 | $63,280 | $137,550 |
| South Carolina | 1,470 | $50,960 | $62,760 | $149,280 |
| Louisiana | 1,740 | $39,020 | $60,450 | $131,730 |
| Mississippi | 810 | $41,260 | $58,640 | $136,120 |
| Arkansas | 560 | $41,380 | $54,500 | $144,890 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules