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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Other titles employers use
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) · Criminal Investigator · Detective · Fugitive Detective · Fugitive Investigator · Investigator · Narcotics Detective · Narcotics Investigator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, organizing and practical work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.8 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.8 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 38%
- High school or less 32%
- A two-year degree 20%
- A four-year degree 10%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Operating system software
- Spreadsheet software
- Presentation software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 20,100
- Job openings each year
- 1,560
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 20,100 | 1,560 | 7.1% |
| New York | 12,930 | 220 | 20.4% |
| California | 11,500 | 850 | 1.8% |
| Florida | 6,760 | 530 | 8.3% |
| Georgia | 4,260 | 330 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 4,070 | 300 | 2.5% |
| New Jersey | 3,920 | 290 | — |
| Virginia | 3,770 | 290 | 4.1% |
| North Carolina | 3,440 | 270 | 8.9% |
| Illinois | 2,600 | 190 | 1.2% |
| Ohio | 2,310 | 170 | 1.8% |
| Minnesota | 2,220 | 170 | 4.7% |
| Colorado | 2,160 | 170 | 11.9% |
| Washington | 2,010 | 170 | 6.9% |
| Tennessee | 1,860 | 150 | 11.4% |
| Michigan | 1,810 | 130 | −2.2% |
| Arizona | 1,720 | 130 | 2.4% |
| Missouri | 1,710 | 130 | 4.9% |
| Wisconsin | 1,650 | 120 | 2.5% |
| Louisiana | 1,630 | 120 | 4.5% |
| New Mexico | 1,600 | 120 | 1.9% |
| South Carolina | 1,320 | 100 | 9.1% |
| Alabama | 1,160 | 90 | 2.7% |
| Oklahoma | 1,110 | 80 | 3.7% |
| Mississippi | 1,070 | 80 | 2.9% |
| Indiana | 1,030 | 80 | 2.0% |
| Maryland | 1,000 | 80 | 5.3% |
| Kansas | 960 | 70 | 3.2% |
| Nevada | 760 | 60 | 7.0% |
| Connecticut | 740 | 60 | 8.8% |
| Kentucky | 680 | 50 | 1.5% |
| Massachusetts | 580 | 40 | 5.5% |
| Oregon | 570 | 40 | 9.6% |
| Puerto Rico | 570 | 40 | 5.6% |
| Arkansas | 560 | 40 | 3.7% |
| Maine | 550 | 40 | — |
| Utah | 480 | 40 | 11.6% |
| New Hampshire | 440 | 30 | 2.3% |
| Iowa | 430 | 30 | 4.9% |
| Rhode Island | 420 | 30 | 2.4% |
| Idaho | 400 | 30 | 2.6% |
| North Dakota | 400 | 30 | — |
| Nebraska | 290 | 20 | 3.6% |
| South Dakota | 250 | 20 | 4.2% |
| West Virginia | 210 | 20 | — |
| Vermont | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Wyoming | 160 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 120 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 110 | 10 | — |
| Guam | 110 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Degrees each year
- 1,572
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 895
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Sam Houston State University
- Degrees each year
- 888
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Florida State University
- Degrees each year
- 599
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Liberty University
- Degrees each year
- 586
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
California State University-Sacramento
- Degrees each year
- 539
- Admit rate
- 94%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 543
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 494
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Compare every college offering criminal justice and corrections