Public Safety & Security career

Detective

Also called: Criminal Investigator · Police Detective · Special Agent · Investigator

What detectives do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a detective do?

Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and evidence, interview witnesses and suspects, and build cases on crimes such as theft, fraud, assault and homicide. The median pay is $93,790 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–5 years as a police officer, and employment is projected to grow +0.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $93,790
    $45.09/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +0.2%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    7,800
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    3–5 years as a police officer
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    120,500
    Employment, 2025

What detectives do

Detectives solve crimes. They respond to scenes, collect and review evidence, interview victims, witnesses and suspects, write search warrants, analyze phone and financial records, work with crime labs and prosecutors, and testify in court. Many specialize in areas such as homicide, burglary, fraud, narcotics, cybercrime or crimes against children.

Most police detectives start as patrol officers and are promoted after several years. Federal special agents usually need a bachelor’s degree and pass rigorous selection. The work is demanding and often involves long hours, but it is central to justice.

Typical duties

  • Investigate crimes and review case reports
  • Process scenes and collect evidence
  • Interview victims, witnesses and suspects
  • Write search and arrest warrants
  • Analyze records, video and digital evidence
  • Work with prosecutors on cases
  • Testify in court

Work environment and schedule

Detectives work in offices, in the field, at crime scenes and in court, sometimes in dangerous situations.

Schedule: Detectives often work long, irregular hours, including on-call duty for major cases.

A day in the life

  1. Review overnight reports and new burglary cases assigned to you.
  2. Visit a victim to get a statement and list of stolen items.
  3. Collect surveillance video from nearby businesses.
  4. Run pawn shop records for stolen items.

See a full day in the life of a detective →

Detective salary

Half of detectives earned more than $93,790 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $55,390 for the lowest 10% to $160,540 for the top 10%.

Full detective pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a detective

  1. Become a police officer
  2. Excel on patrol
  3. Take investigation courses
  4. Pass the detective process
  5. Specialize or advance

Police detectives typically start as patrol officers with a high school diploma or college credits and complete a police academy. Many agencies prefer college degrees, and federal agents usually need a bachelor’s degree.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a detective →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Investigative interviewing
  • Evidence collection
  • Report and warrant writing
  • Digital evidence basics
  • Criminal law

People skills

  • Persistence
  • Critical thinking
  • Communication
  • Integrity

All detective skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Challenging, meaningful work
  • Respected role
  • Good pay and benefits
  • Variety of cases

Cons

  • Long, irregular hours
  • Emotional and traumatic cases
  • Heavy caseloads
  • Requires years of patrol experience first

Certifications and licenses

  • State peace officer certification: Required to serve as a sworn officer.
  • Investigative interviewing training: Training in interview techniques.
  • Crime scene and evidence training: Courses in evidence handling.
  • Specialized investigator training: Courses in homicide, fraud or cybercrime.

Career path

  1. Police Officer: Patrol and handle calls.
  2. Detective: Investigate crimes.
  3. Specialized or Senior Detective: Handle major cases.
  4. Sergeant or Lieutenant: Lead investigative units.

Learn the job before day one

Our Detective training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as conduct a witness interview and maintain chain of custody, safety and how to land your first job.

View Detective trainingIs this career right for me?

Police Officer

Protect communities, respond to calls, investigate crimes and enforce the law.

  • $76,210
  • 6–12 months (academy + field training)

Private Investigator

Find facts, people and evidence for clients, lawyers and businesses.

  • $51,220
  • 1–3 years of experience

Probation Officer

Supervise people on probation or parole and help them rebuild their lives.

  • $66,270
  • 4 years plus agency training

Compare: Detective vs. Police Officer · Detective vs. Private Investigator · Detective vs. Forensic Technician · Detective vs. Probation Officer

Detective FAQ

How do you become a detective?

Usually by working as a police officer for several years and passing a promotion process.

Do detectives need a degree?

Not always for police, but federal agents usually do.

Do detectives work regular hours?

Often not; major cases mean long hours.

How much does a detective make?

The median annual wage for detectives was $93,790 ($45.09 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $55,390 and the highest 10% earned more than $160,540.

How long does it take to become a detective?

Most people need about 3–5 years as a police officer of training. Police detectives typically start as patrol officers with a high school diploma or college credits and complete a police academy. Many agencies prefer college degrees, and federal agents usually need a bachelor’s degree.

Do you need a degree to be a detective?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More detective questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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