Job title · SOC 33-3021

Detective / Criminal Investigator

Also known as: detective, criminal investigator

Overview

Sourced

Conduct 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.

114,300

in government (SOC 33-3021)

100%

of this occupation works for government

$93,790

median pay in government

Federal · State · Local

levels of government

Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 33-3021, including ATF Special Agent, CIA Officer (intelligence), DEA Special Agent, Deputy U.S. Marshal.

Titles employers use

Criminal InvestigatorDetectiveInvestigatorPolice DetectiveCSI (Crime Scene Investigator)Fugitive DetectiveFugitive InvestigatorNarcotics DetectiveNarcotics InvestigatorSpecial Agent

How people usually get in Editorial

promotion/assignment from patrol (local); direct hire (federal). Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

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; GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 33-3021)

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

High School Diploma or the equivalent

23%

Post-Secondary Certificate

26%

Some College Courses

20%

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

12%

Bachelor's Degree

19%

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

Sourced

The 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

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 33-3021: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Preparation level (O*NET)

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

Editorial

Rank and step: paramilitary rank × time-in-service step (officer → sergeant → lieutenant → captain …). Typical structure for a municipal police department; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

Police Recruit / Academy Trainee
Police Officer (probationary)
Police Officer (steps to top)
Corporal / Senior Officer (dept-specific)
Sergeant
Lieutenant
Captain
Commander / Major / Inspector
Deputy Chief / Assistant Chief
Chief of Police

Assignments and specialty tracks

Field Training OfficerDetective / Investigator (rank in some depts, e.g. NYPD grades)K-9SWATMotors / TrafficSchool Resource OfficerInternal Affairs

Source: GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

$118,390

State

$79,690

Local

$78,280

All government

$93,790

Private sector

$83,130

Median 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.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Detective / Criminal Investigator in 23 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
Alabama	Special Investigator, Special Investigator, SR, Special Agent, Senior Special Agent 4 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department	$40,099 – $109,982
Arizona	Special Investigator, Special Agent, Special Agent, Chief 4 classes · effective July 9, 2022 · Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division	$40,496 – $120,532
California	Special Agent Trainee, Department of Justice, Special Investigator, Special Agent, Department of Justice, +2 more 5 classes · effective September 14, 2026 · California Department of Human Resources (CalHR)	$61,668 – $161,760
Colorado	Criminal Investigator I–VI, Special Agent I–VI 12 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR)	$60,972 – $168,996
Connecticut	Special Investigator (General), Special Investigator (Medical Examiner), Special Investigator (Non-Competitive), +2 more 5 classes · effective June 26, 2026 · Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources	$76,442 – $111,349
Florida	Law Enforcement Investigator I–II, Special Agent Trainee, Special Agent 4 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management	$39,040 – $179,636
Georgia	Criminal Investigator 1–3, Criminal Investigator 1 Non Exempt, Criminal Investigator 2 Non Exempt, +6 more 16 classes · effective September 17, 2025 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation	$47,221 – $123,891
Indiana	Special Agent 1 class · Indiana State Personnel Department	$53,222 – $79,846
Iowa	Special Agent 1–2, Special Investigator 4 classes · effective June 19, 2026 · Iowa Department of Administrative Services	$65,749 – $120,245
Louisiana	Criminal Investigator 1–4 4 classes · effective August 19, 2024 · Louisiana Department of State Civil Service	$45,885 – $121,722
Massachusetts	Special Investigator (A/B), Special Investigator (C), Special Investigator (D) 3 classes · effective July 12, 2026 · Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD)	$82,938 – $137,856
Minnesota	Special Agent, Special Agent Senior 2 classes · effective July 2, 2026 · Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)	$92,477 – $134,326
Nevada	Criminal Investigator I–III 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$71,785 – $128,496
New Jersey	Special Agent Trainee, Special Agent 3–1 4 classes · effective July 11, 2026 · New Jersey Civil Service Commission	$68,381 – $151,323
New Mexico	Special Agent 1 class · effective July 4, 2026 · New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification	$62,624 – $93,936
New York	Special Investigator 1 class · New York State Department of Civil Service	No fixed rate
Ohio	Criminal Investigator 1–2 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation	$55,203 – $79,061
Oklahoma	Law Enforcement Investigator I–II 2 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management	$27,827 – $140,961
Oregon	Criminal Investigator 1 class · Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Chief Human Resources Office – Classification & Compensation	$97,908 – $147,504
Pennsylvania	Special Investigator Trainee, Special Agent A, OSIG, Special Investigator 1–3, +2 more 7 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration	$46,827 – $111,956
South Carolina	Law Enforcement Investigator I–III 3 classes · South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources	$63,036 – $129,438
Wisconsin	Special Agent, Special Agent-Senior 2 classes · effective June 28, 2026 · Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management	$58,739 – $135,054
Wyoming	Criminal Investigator, Senior Criminal Investigator, Special Agent I–II 4 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division	$77,605 – $136,677

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 23 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

44%

Irregular

46%

Seasonal

10%

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

40 hours

33%

More than 40 hours

67%

Share 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.

13Derived

Employer directory

Sourced

11,828 police departments. Municipal and county police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. States with the most:

Pennsylvania · 912 Texas · 780 Illinois · 722 Ohio · 701 New Jersey · 488 California · 464 Michigan · 439 Missouri · 439 New York · 422 Wisconsin · 366 Georgia · 356 North Carolina · 338

2,985 sheriff's offices. County sheriff's offices in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. States with the most:

Texas · 254 Georgia · 158 Kentucky · 120 Missouri · 114 Kansas · 104 Illinois · 102 Iowa · 99 North Carolina · 99 Tennessee · 94 Nebraska · 93 Indiana · 91 Ohio · 88

As reported by each employer to its federal registry.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.

By state

Sourced

Median 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 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan/tier and formula, retirement age/years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b), PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union, current CBA (source link, effective dates)
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonus, inter-agency moves
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named exams → OpenExamPrep practice
Not yet collected

At a glance

Job familyLaw Enforcement

LevelFederal, State, Local

Pay structureRank and step

Occupation code33-3021 Detectives and Criminal Investigators

PreparationMedium Preparation Needed

Sources and verification

Alabama State Personnel Department — Alabama Merit Semi-Monthly Compensation Plan (effective 09/01/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Alabama state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division — Arizona State Personnel System Job Titles with Pay Ranges and Salary Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arizona state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) — California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (California state government publication, CalHR); facts republished with a link to the source

Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources — Connecticut State Employee Compensation Plans and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Connecticut state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Federal Bureau of Investigation — Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management — Florida State Personnel System — Broadband Crosswalk (September 2026), Pay Grades and Broadband Pay Ranges (July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Florida state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation — Georgia State Salary Plans (SWD and LAW) with Job Profiles — September 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Georgia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Iowa Department of Administrative Services — Iowa FY 2027 Classification Plan and Pay Plans

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Iowa state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Louisiana Department of State Civil Service — Louisiana State Civil Service Pay Plan (Public Version) and Pay Schedules AS, MS, PS, SS, TS, WS

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Louisiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD) — Massachusetts Executive Branch Bargaining Unit Job Codes and Salary Charts

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Massachusetts government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Nevada Classified Service — Class Specifications and Compensation Schedules (Pay Policy 01 EE/ER and 06), effective July 1, 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Nevada state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Jersey Civil Service Commission — New Jersey State Title List and FY2027 salary schedules by Employee Relations Group

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of New Jersey government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification — New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (New Mexico state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New York State Department of Civil Service — New York State Title and Salary Plan (Title and Salary Listing) and negotiating-unit salary schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Title listing: OPEN-NY Terms of Use (data.ny.gov) — free use for any lawful purpose, no attribution or share-alike required; salary schedules and title file on cs.ny.gov: public record (New York State government publications); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) — O*NET 31.0 Database

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · CC BY 4.0

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. GovJobsWiki has modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation — Ohio State Classification Plan — Pay Range Booklet and Pay Range Schedules (rates effective July 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Ohio state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management — Oklahoma Pay Structures for State Employees (effective 08/30/2026) and OMES Job Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oklahoma state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Chief Human Resources Office – Classification & Compensation — Oregon Classification and Compensation: Job Profiles and Monthly Salary Rates by Representation

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oregon state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration — Pennsylvania Commonwealth Classification and Pay Plan (job classes and pay schedules)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources — South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR) — State of Colorado Pay Plan FY 2026-27 — Pay Plan with Steps, State Troopers and Medical Pay Plan

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Colorado state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Indiana State Personnel Department — State of Indiana Job Code Listing (August 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Indiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) — State of Minnesota Salary Plan — Classifications and Salary Ranges (report LR0067)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public data (Minnesota state government publication, MMB); facts republished with a link to the source

Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division — State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure — 2024 Market Rates (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wyoming state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management — Wisconsin Alphabetical Listing of Classifications and 2025-2027 Compensation Plan Pay Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wisconsin state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

GovJobsWiki — GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240)

GovJobsWiki editorial · not a sourced fact · GovJobsWiki editorial

Page data last changed September 30, 2026. How we verify · Report an error

Detective / Criminal Investigator

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

How to get hired

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Assignments and specialty tracks

Pay

State government pay plans

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

Employer directory

By state

Not yet collected