Detectives and criminal investigators
BLS projects employment of detectives and criminal investigators to change by +0.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations, with about 7,800 openings a year. The median annual wage in 2025 was $93,790 (all occupations: $50,980).
Updated
| Median annual wage, 2025 | $93,790 |
|---|---|
| Employment, 2025 | 120,500 |
| Projected employment, 2035 | 120,700 |
| Change, 2025–35 | +0.2% (+200) |
| Openings per year, 2025–35 average | 7,800 |
| Typical entry education | 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 |
| Self-employed | 0.2% |
Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile ↗
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2025–35, and worker characteristics, 2025 ↗. Employment is for 2025, projections to 2035; median annual wage is for 2025; openings are the projected annual average for 2025–35. Figures are national, not local. Data last downloaded Oct 16, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $93,790 for detectives and criminal investigators in 2025.
What is the job outlook for detectives and criminal investigators?
BLS projects employment to change by +0.2% from 2025 to 2035, with about 7,800 openings per year on average.
What education do detectives and criminal investigators need?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as: High school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.