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.
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: $99,430
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,340 | $79,070 | $38.01 | $150,780 | $43,060 |
| Alaska | 140 | $125,160 | $60.17 | $183,680 | $79,680 |
| Arizona | 5,250 | $100,000 | $48.08 | $142,380 | $60,590 |
| Arkansas | 560 | $68,840 | $33.10 | $144,890 | $41,380 |
| California | 12,610 | $121,530 | $58.43 | $165,510 | $78,280 |
| Colorado | 1,930 | $109,010 | $52.41 | $161,550 | $73,010 |
| Connecticut | 940 | $101,890 | $48.99 | $130,540 | $78,990 |
| Delaware | 140 | $117,730 | $56.60 | $164,510 | $65,830 |
| D.C. | 2,980 | $148,110 | $71.21 | $195,190 | $94,220 |
| Florida | 6,440 | $93,020 | $44.72 | $162,450 | $50,050 |
| Georgia | 5,070 | $78,140 | $37.57 | $149,030 | $46,790 |
| Hawaii | 440 | $124,610 | $59.91 | $165,030 | $92,520 |
| Idaho | 630 | $81,570 | $39.22 | $125,550 | $53,120 |
| Illinois | 3,270 | $97,480 | $46.87 | $157,060 | $53,960 |
| Indiana | 1,280 | $77,610 | $37.31 | $127,790 | $45,480 |
| Iowa | 410 | $87,110 | $41.88 | $141,650 | $58,930 |
| Kansas | 1,060 | $78,750 | $37.86 | $114,030 | $49,610 |
| Kentucky | 720 | $86,900 | $41.78 | $149,280 | $51,640 |
| Louisiana | 1,740 | $71,160 | $34.21 | $131,730 | $39,020 |
| Maine | 550 | $92,920 | $44.67 | $120,430 | $63,290 |
| Maryland | 1,010 | $130,040 | $62.52 | $188,700 | $71,200 |
| Massachusetts | 1,300 | $118,130 | $56.80 | $179,030 | $76,150 |
| Michigan | 2,220 | $103,190 | $49.61 | $164,670 | $71,590 |
| Minnesota | 1,970 | $87,860 | $42.24 | $115,210 | $59,710 |
| Mississippi | 810 | $71,020 | $34.15 | $136,120 | $41,260 |
| Missouri | 1,600 | $85,720 | $41.21 | $151,720 | $49,190 |
| Montana | 500 | $93,800 | $45.10 | $144,000 | $58,670 |
| Nebraska | 290 | $103,850 | $49.93 | $155,210 | $68,900 |
| Nevada | 590 | $101,950 | $49.01 | $152,480 | $60,920 |
| New Hampshire | 290 | $104,670 | $50.32 | $174,050 | $74,690 |
| New Jersey | 3,080 | $116,540 | $56.03 | $165,570 | $73,100 |
| New Mexico | 2,020 | $84,880 | $40.81 | $111,970 | $47,480 |
| New York | 9,600 | $105,880 | $50.91 | $166,800 | $62,130 |
| North Carolina | 3,360 | $76,020 | $36.55 | $137,550 | $50,260 |
| North Dakota | 420 | $88,310 | $42.46 | $129,230 | $58,350 |
| Ohio | 2,140 | $90,600 | $43.56 | $151,200 | $56,840 |
| Oklahoma | 1,220 | $86,620 | $41.65 | $136,120 | $51,420 |
| Oregon | 520 | $113,430 | $54.53 | $158,060 | $81,990 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,370 | $101,760 | $48.93 | $154,360 | $63,770 |
| Rhode Island | 360 | $98,430 | $47.32 | $159,140 | $75,910 |
| South Carolina | 1,470 | $77,020 | $37.03 | $149,280 | $50,960 |
| South Dakota | 250 | $91,060 | $43.78 | $149,280 | $60,210 |
| Tennessee | 1,860 | $87,790 | $42.21 | $149,280 | $49,660 |
| Texas | 18,870 | $92,030 | $44.24 | $132,850 | $52,510 |
| Utah | 550 | $89,940 | $43.24 | $149,280 | $48,040 |
| Vermont | 190 | $104,220 | $50.10 | $153,670 | $65,690 |
| Virginia | 3,180 | $119,620 | $57.51 | $195,190 | $62,730 |
| Washington | 1,850 | $118,040 | $56.75 | $162,860 | $84,500 |
| West Virginia | 220 | $102,070 | $49.07 | $171,250 | $48,450 |
| Wisconsin | 1,640 | $90,620 | $43.57 | $103,130 | $70,060 |
| Wyoming | 170 | $91,890 | $44.18 | $149,280 | $62,230 |
| Puerto Rico | 620 | $86,120 | $41.41 | $153,670 | $38,020 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
District of Columbia tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $148,110.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary estimates are based on data from the May 2025 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, (SOC Code 33-3021).* Employment opportunities may vary depending on your area.
Learn more about the pros and cons of being a detective.
Detectives often develop strong communication and interpersonal skills, which are valuable not only for their professional lives but also for personal growth and development.
Being a detective requires a strong sense of ethics, as you play a vital role in upholding the law and protecting your community.
Reading about what it really takes to be a detective shifted my thinking the blend of patience, investigation, and real world pressure sounds intense but rewarding. It gave me a better sense of the skills and mindset needed for the job.
Reading about what it really takes to be a detective shifted my thinking the blend of patience, investigation, and real world pressure sound intense but rewarding. It gave me a better sense of the skills and mindset needed for the job.