Becoming a Detective

A detective and a criminal investigator, who are often called special agents or agents, have the job of collecting evidence and gathering facts about possible crimes.

The duties of a detective will depend on the type and size of the organization that they work for.

detective careers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 113,400 active detectives and criminal investigators working in the US with an average salary of $93,580.

Typical Duties of Detectives

The typical duties of a detective consist of:

  • Investigating crimes
  • Collecting evidence of crimes
  • Conducting interviews with witnesses and suspects
  • Observing the suspect’s activities
  • Arresting suspects
  • Writing detailed reports and filling out the necessary forms
  • Preparing cases and testifying in courts.

The daily activity of a detective will vary based on their particular occupational specialty and whether they work for a federal, state, or local agency.

The duties of a detective differ among the federal agencies that enforce different areas of the law.

No matter where a detective works, they will be required to keep detailed records and reports of their investigations.

These reports are needed if they are called on to testify in court.

Education and Training

Those applying for a job as a police officer or detective are required to have at least a high school diploma or GED.

In addition, a person interested in this type of work will need to complete the training academy for the particular agency that they wish to work for.

Most law enforcement agencies prefer candidates who have at least an associate’s degree in an area such as criminology, sociology, psychology, criminal investigation, or something related.

Those with bachelor’s degrees in one of these areas will be at an advantage when it comes to law enforcement jobs.

It is also recommended that an individual who is interested in becoming a detective learn a foreign language, particularly Spanish.

Other Requirements

Potential detectives must be citizens of the United States and, in most cases, be over the age of 21.

A person must hold a valid United States driver’s license as well.

Numerous physical qualifications must be met as well.

This includes agility, strength, vision, and hearing examinations.

Candidates for detective positions often must go through several interviews and may be asked to take a polygraph test.

A background check and drug tests are often required for these positions as well.

In most cases, a detective will have started their career working as a police officer and then been promoted to the position of detective.

For those who are interested in becoming detectives, it is a good idea to obtain secondary education in a field that is related to law enforcement such as criminal justice.

When working as a police officer to become a detective, it is a good idea to pursue further education in criminal investigation.

This will increase your chances of promotion within your department.

Almost all detectives have at the minimum an associate’s degree in criminal justice, with the majority of individuals working in this field having a bachelor’s degree in this area.

U.S. Average Salary: $98770

$54.2KK
$59.6KK
$98.8KK
$108.6KK
$119.5KK
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Salary Information by State

State Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary
Alabama1,290$77,900$37.45$147,850$41,970
Alaska130$127,090$61.10$180,090$74,270
Arizona5,220$98,670$47.44$140,360$61,310
Arkansas560$67,640$32.52$142,190$40,360
California11,900$120,930$58.14$165,230$79,350
Connecticut890$99,560$47.86$116,220$77,210
Delaware**$105,460$50.70$175,430$60,670
Florida6,310$94,360$45.37$160,620$51,290
Georgia4,820$76,520$36.79$146,490$43,820
Hawaii440$124,950$60.07$166,190$96,370
Idaho520$86,860$41.76$142,190$54,570
Illinois3,100$97,900$47.07$158,720$53,600
Indiana1,240$79,500$38.22$130,440$49,870
Iowa380$86,140$41.41$143,230$56,580
Kansas1,070$74,870$36.00$101,320$46,420
Kentucky700$88,950$42.76$150,800$49,820
Louisiana1,870$69,230$33.28$129,250$39,320
Maine540$90,140$43.34$122,640$59,740
Maryland960$127,850$61.47$186,760$69,800
Massachusetts1,170$118,660$57.05$180,090$74,360
Michigan2,050$104,170$50.08$166,300$71,820
Minnesota1,770$88,940$42.76$115,810$60,130
Mississippi810$67,560$32.48$129,250$40,710
Missouri1,440$87,900$42.26$153,150$48,690
Montana470$94,470$45.42$141,290$61,360
Nebraska280$101,710$48.90$152,240$64,230
Nevada580$101,180$48.65$153,900$61,640
New Hampshire410$99,180$47.68$160,620$75,680
New Jersey3,000$116,770$56.14$170,680$70,850
New Mexico2,000$83,500$40.15$107,240$48,040
New York9,410$106,280$51.10$168,770$61,450
North Carolina3,240$75,320$36.21$134,870$49,820
North Dakota420$86,660$41.67$123,000$55,560
Ohio2,120$89,760$43.15$151,900$57,510
Oklahoma1,280$83,850$40.31$129,250$51,030
Oregon470$114,240$54.93$162,200$82,770
Pennsylvania3,390$102,050$49.06$151,720$63,510
Rhode Island440$96,810$46.54$146,020$76,670
South Carolina1,330$77,110$37.07$146,490$49,740
South Dakota230$90,250$43.39$142,190$59,540
Tennessee1,960$83,560$40.17$144,290$49,670
Texas18,020$91,250$43.87$137,860$50,920
Utah560$87,790$42.21$150,800$48,670
Vermont210$101,860$48.97$153,570$64,980
Virginia3,170$117,280$56.38$191,650$62,320
Washington1,680$118,100$56.78$164,240$86,200
West Virginia210$101,920$49.00$168,040$45,300
Wisconsin1,480$92,950$44.69$107,240$67,630
Wyoming170$91,300$43.90$146,490$62,230
Puerto Rico630$85,370$41.04$155,110$38,130

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

Maryland tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $127,850.

These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:

Maryland - $127,850
Alaska - $127,090
Hawaii - $124,950
California - $120,930
Massachusetts - $118,660
Washington - $118,100
Virginia - $117,280
New Jersey - $116,770
Oregon - $114,240
New York - $106,280
* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, OCC Code 33-3021, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Learn more about the pros and cons of being a detective.

Michael Morales
Michael is the Webmaster and Editor in Chief for Legalcareerpath.com. With a strong background in Web Publishing and Internet Marketing, he currently works as an independent consultant. A former paramedic and EMS educator, he enjoys punishing himself doing triathlons and endurance sports. Michael currently lives in sunny Northern California, home of the highest tax rates in the United States.

2 Responses to Becoming a Detective

  1. Thomas Ball #

    Detectives often develop strong communication and interpersonal skills, which are valuable not only for their professional lives but also for personal growth and development.

  2. Kevin Moore #

    Being a detective requires a strong sense of ethics, as you play a vital role in upholding the law and protecting your community.

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