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Criminal investigator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$93,790median pay per year, or $45.09 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $55,390lowest 10% earn less
  2. $69,33025th percentile
  3. $93,790median
  4. $120,52075th percentile
  5. $160,540top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Detectives and criminal investigators earned a median of $93,790 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 0.2% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.2%[2]
Openings per year
7,800[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do criminal investigators make?

The median wage for detectives and criminal investigators was $93,790 a year, or $45.09 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more than this and half earned less[1]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. The mean was $99,430 a year, or $47.80 an hour[7].

Pay varied a lot. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $55,390 a year[3]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $160,540[3].

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[3][9] $55,390 $26.63
25th[3][9] $69,330 $33.33
Median[1] $93,790 $45.09
75th[3][9] $120,520 $57.94
90th[3][9] $160,540 $77.18

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed and do not count bonuses or benefits[10]. About 114,430 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median at $160,760 a year[12]. Among the states, Maryland came next at $126,730, then California at $124,840[12]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $54,500[12].

Texas had the most jobs at 18,870, followed by California with 12,610, New York with 9,600, Florida with 6,440 and Arizona with 5,250[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $158,640[14]. Brunswick-St. Simons, GA followed at $158,060, then the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area at $156,750[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 7,580, with a median of $106,440[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$160,7602,980
Maryland$126,7301,010
California$124,84012,610
Delaware$122,050140
New Jersey$116,3003,080
Washington$115,7901,850
Alaska$114,940140
Hawaii$113,940440
Virginia$112,7603,180
Massachusetts$110,1501,300
Oregon$107,450520
Vermont$106,330190
Colorado$105,4801,930
Arizona$102,3405,250
New York$101,2409,600
Nebraska$100,530290
Pennsylvania$97,5803,370
Connecticut$95,240940
Nevada$94,470590
Montana$92,410500
West Virginia$92,410220
Illinois$91,1903,270
Wisconsin$91,0401,640
Michigan$90,6502,220
Texas$90,51018,870
New Hampshire$89,290290
Rhode Island$88,450360
Maine$88,310550
New Mexico$86,8402,020
North Dakota$82,290420
Wyoming$81,880170
Oklahoma$80,4301,220
Minnesota$80,0001,970
Iowa$79,560410
Ohio$79,3002,140
Utah$78,920550
South Dakota$77,730250
Tennessee$77,0901,860
Florida$77,0606,440
Kansas$75,7401,060
Missouri$75,6501,600
Idaho$72,520630
Kentucky$71,670720
Indiana$70,3401,280
Alabama$66,2901,340
Georgia$65,4305,070
North Carolina$63,2803,360
South Carolina$62,7601,470
Louisiana$60,4501,740
Mississippi$58,640810
Arkansas$54,500560

How to become a criminal investigator

BLS Employment Projections list a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education for entry[6]. The same source lists less than 5 years of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[6].

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile that covers this job also covers a wider group of occupations, so the details below describe that group[16].

Other requirements vary. Candidates are usually expected to be 21 or older and to meet physical and personal standards[22]. A felony conviction or drug use may disqualify them[22]. FBI special agent applicants need at least 2 years of full-time work experience, or 1 year plus an advanced degree[23]. Most states and local jurisdictions require U.S. citizenship, though some do not, and federal officers must be citizens[24].

What criminal investigators do

O*NET describes the work as investigating suspected violations of federal, state or local law to prevent or solve crimes[25]. Tasks include:

Workers reported job titles such as Detective, Narcotics Investigator and Fugitive Investigator[27].

Where they work

The Handbook profile for the wider group says the work can be physically demanding, stressful and dangerous[28]. Some federal agencies require extensive travel, often on short notice[29]. Paid overtime is common, shift work is needed and most in the wider group work full time[30]. In 2025, 96% of police and detectives worked in government, excluding state and local education and hospitals[31]. Only 0.2% of detectives and criminal investigators were self-employed[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 120,500 jobs to 120,700[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[33].

About 7,800 openings are projected each year[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or move to other work, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.8% of workers leave the labor force and 4.7% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is well above the all-occupations median[1][4], and the typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent[6]. The path usually runs through police work and academy training, and some agencies want college coursework or a degree[17][20][19]. Growth is nearly flat at 0.2%, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. The wider group's work can be stressful and dangerous[28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a criminal investigator make an hour?
The median was $45.09 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $26.63 and the 90th was $77.18[9].
What degree do you need to be a criminal investigator?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6]. Some federal agencies and police departments may ask for college coursework or a degree[17].
How do you become a detective?
Detectives typically begin their careers as police officers[19]. Recruits usually attend a training academy[20].
Is criminal investigator work in demand?
BLS projects 0.2% growth from 2025 to 2035[2]. About 7,800 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for criminal investigators?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $160,760 a year in May 2025[12]. Maryland was the highest-paying state at $126,730[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the US was $93,790 per year and $45.09 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Detectives and Criminal Investigators is projected to grow 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 120,500 to 120,700 jobs (a change of +200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 10th percentile $55,390, 25th percentile $69,330, 75th percentile $120,520, 90th percentile $160,540. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 7,800 openings for Detectives and Criminal Investigators are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Detectives and Criminal Investigators: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators was $99,430 per year and $47.80 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 10th percentile $26.63, 25th percentile $33.33, 75th percentile $57.94, 90th percentile $77.18. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 114,430 people were employed as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs: Texas 18,870; California 12,610; New York 9,600; Florida 6,440; Arizona 5,250. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $158,640; Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $158,060; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $156,750; Urban Honolulu, HI $140,750; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $128,440; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $127,890; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $127,420; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,700. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,580 (median $106,440); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,830 (median $156,750); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,240 (median $127,890); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 3,070 (median $69,900); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 2,990 (median $124,840); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,290 (median $102,260). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Police and Detectives" covers Detectives and Criminal Investigators together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Detectives and Criminal Investigators. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Detectives and Criminal Investigators. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 33-3021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Criminal Investigator, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Detective, Fugitive Detective, Fugitive Investigator, Investigator, Narcotics Detective, Narcotics Investigator. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of police and detectives in 2025: Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals 96%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 0.2% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 1.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.