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Also known as: Air Marshal, Burglary Investigator, Child Support Agent, Child Support Investigator
You arrive at the Metro City Police Department precinct before 8 AM. Your first stop is your desk, where you log into your desktop PC and open Microsoft Outlook. Dozens of emails await, some from patrol officers, others from forensic techs. You review your active case files in your department’s Records Management System (RMS) – a string of recent burglaries with similar M.O.s. A fresh cup of coffee steams beside your keyboard as you prioritize your tasks.
Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.
+0.2%
US average: +3.5%
7,800
per year (US)
120,500
in 2025 → 120,700 (2035)
High school diploma or equivalent
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.
Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)
This career has a stable outlook through 2035, with approximately 7,800 job openings expected each year. Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn a median annual wage of $93,790. You can advance your career by gaining specialized experience or moving into supervisory and federal roles.
Career ladder
Often before this role
Where it can lead
$93,790
Median annual wage, BLS 2025
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum educational requirement for this position
Based on job level & field
Police Academy
Vocational • Law & Public Administration • 1 year
Criminal Justice/Police Science
Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years
Criminalistics and Criminal Science
Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
Bachelor • Law & Public Administration • 4 years