Detectives and Criminal Investigators: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Detectives and Criminal Investigators fall under the Protective Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn a median salary of $93,790 per year, ranking in the top 20% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +0.2% job growth through 2035, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do detectives and criminal investigators earn?

The median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators is $93,790. That puts detectives and criminal investigators at #167 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is detectives and criminal investigators a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for detectives and criminal investigators is +0.2%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 120K positions in 2024 to 120K in 2034, a net change of <1K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do detectives and criminal investigators do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working detectives and criminal investigators, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.
2. 2.Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
3. 3.Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative.
4. 4.Notify command of situation and request assistance.
5. 5.Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
6. 6.Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records.
7. 7.Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed.
8. 8.Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.

Top skills for detectives and criminal investigators

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become detectives and criminal investigator?

Many detectives and criminal investigators enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
  $93,530 median
• Transit and Railroad Police
  $90,230 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
  $77,970 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other
  $76,400 median
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
  $76,210 median
• Fire Inspectors and Investigators
  $75,920 median

Common questions parents ask about detectives and criminal investigators