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Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Also called: Criminal Investigator, Detective, Investigator, Police Detective

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

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Median pay BLS, 2025$93,790
Openings a year BLS, 2025–357,800
Typical education to start BLSHigh school diploma or equivalent
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 High
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 +0.2%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 16 of its 30 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 0.2% by 2035. How to think about this →

About this projection

BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”

It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”

On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”

BLS figures cover the broader occupation “Detectives and criminal investigators”, which includes this one and others.

Recent conditions

  • In 2024, 0.8% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
  • From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 4.3 hires for every 10 job openings in government, which employs about 99% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.

How to read these

Pay compared with all occupations BLS median wages Pays more than 80% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$54k$161knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$66,290$49,860 to $92,6101,340
Alaska$114,940$92,110 to $168,790140
Arizona$102,340$77,730 to $111,3605,250
Arkansas$54,500$46,300 to $66,820560
California$124,840$99,270 to $136,02012,610
Colorado$105,480$86,290 to $115,1301,930
Connecticut$95,240$88,390 to $103,800940
Delaware$122,050$71,670 to $149,990140
District of Columbia$160,760$114,230 to $170,8102,980
Florida$77,060$60,790 to $120,1806,440
Georgia$65,430$55,310 to $79,2205,070
Hawaii$113,940$106,870 to $140,750440
Idaho$72,520$60,100 to $100,420630
Illinois$91,190$69,590 to $114,6403,270
Indiana$70,340$56,320 to $82,7401,280
Iowa$79,560$67,370 to $90,380410
Kansas$75,740$57,530 to $91,5601,060
Kentucky$71,670$61,330 to $96,120720
Louisiana$60,450$46,320 to $78,7001,740
Maine$88,310$75,210 to $109,300550
Maryland$126,730$93,230 to $166,2301,010
Massachusetts$110,150$92,020 to $146,2301,300
Michigan$90,650$80,140 to $120,5602,220
Minnesota$80,000$69,580 to $100,0901,970
Mississippi$58,640$49,270 to $78,230810
Missouri$75,650$56,870 to $93,9101,600
Montana$92,410$71,160 to $109,300500
Nebraska$100,530$79,510 to $123,930290
Nevada$94,470$77,360 to $129,220590
New Hampshire$89,290$80,770 to $105,870290
New Jersey$116,300$91,360 to $134,0003,080
New Mexico$86,840$59,160 to $109,3002,020
New York$101,240$77,470 to $124,8609,600
North Carolina$63,280$57,040 to $80,3303,360
North Dakota$82,290$62,200 to $106,330420
Ohio$79,300$64,480 to $105,6902,140
Oklahoma$80,430$60,300 to $102,2501,220
Oregon$107,450$94,700 to $127,860520
Pennsylvania$97,580$79,190 to $116,9603,370
Puerto Rico$70,760$44,800 to $115,210620
Rhode Island$88,450$77,760 to $99,100360
South Carolina$62,760$55,490 to $77,2001,470
South Dakota$77,730$63,110 to $110,880250
Tennessee$77,090$60,730 to $107,8101,860
Texas$90,510$64,660 to $109,30018,870
Utah$78,920$61,240 to $115,210550
Vermont$106,330$84,430 to $111,530190
Virginia$112,760$79,770 to $160,7603,180
Washington$115,790$96,540 to $126,1701,850
West Virginia$92,410$56,770 to $149,280220
Wisconsin$91,040$78,700 to $97,1201,640
Wyoming$81,880$71,930 to $104,080170

Nationally: $93,790. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this

How AI touches the work

What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.

AI could halve the time on 16 of its 30 tasks

2 · AI alone could halve the time 14 · AI + software built on it could 14 · Not much
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
AI alone Prepare reports that detail investigation findings. under 0.01%
Not much Obtain and verify evidence by interviewing and observing suspects and witnesses or by analyzing records. Not published
AI + software Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device. Not published
AI + software Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants. Not published
AI + software Analyze completed police reports to determine what additional information and investigative work is needed. Not published
Not much Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed. Not published
See all 30 tasks
Not much Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants. Not published
AI + software Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information. under 0.01%
AI alone Determine scope, timing, and direction of investigations. under 0.01%
AI + software Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects. Not published
AI + software Collaborate with other offices and agencies to exchange information and coordinate activities. Not published
AI + software Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures. under 0.01%
Not much Testify before grand juries concerning criminal activity investigations. Not published
Not much Question individuals or observe persons and establishments to confirm information given to patrol officers. Not published
Not much Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations. Not published
AI + software Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence. Not published
AI + software Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed. Not published
AI + software Organize scene search, assigning specific tasks and areas of search to individual officers and obtaining adequate lighting as necessary. Not published
Not much Participate or assist in raids and arrests. Not published
AI + software Maintain surveillance of establishments to obtain identifying information on suspects. Not published
Not much Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival. Not published
AI + software Notify, or request notification of, medical examiner or district attorney representative. Not published
Not much Search for and collect evidence, such as fingerprints, using investigative equipment. Not published
Not much Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene. Not published
AI + software Summon medical help for injured individuals and alert medical personnel to take statements from them. Not published
Not much Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive. Not published
Not much Block or rope off scene and check perimeter to ensure that entire scene is secured. Not published
AI + software Notify command of situation and request assistance. Not published
Not much Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse. Not published
Not much Perform undercover assignments and maintain surveillance, including monitoring authorized wiretaps. Not published

Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 4 of the 30 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.

Where people already use AI

The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 30 tasks fall under 19 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.

Tasks AI could speed up16 of 30 tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most3 of 19 activities
  • #1 Gather information from physical or electronic sources
  • #22 Investigate individuals' background, behavior, or activities
  • #37 Determine operational methods or procedures
Microsoft Copilot (2024), ranked among all 332 activities. The cut-off of 50 is ours.
Work activity This occupation's tasks under it People asked AI for help
in 10,000 conversations		 AI did it for them
in 10,000 conversations
Investigate criminal or legal matters 9.30#96 1.13#161
Maintain safety or security 9.38#93 16#51
Notify others of emergencies or problems 2.78#172 4.95#92
Interview people to obtain information 4.73#130 5.04#87
Investigate individuals' background, behavior, or activities 74#22 10#66
Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties 1.39#218 1.50#142
Record information about legal matters 0.51#270 0.34#229
Gather information from physical or electronic sources 2,322#1 352#5
Show all 19 activities
Determine operational methods or procedures 45#37 22#46
Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data 15#68 3.48#107
Investigate incidents or accidents 8.06#104 0.71#183
Record images with photographic or audiovisual equipment 4.16#142 0.43#216
Prepare legal or regulatory documents 3.40#156 0.50#204
Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations 2.97#168 2.18#124
Perform court-related or other legal administrative activities 1.99#197 0.66#187
Examine people or animals to assess health conditions or physical characteristics 1.54#212 0.13#264
Process forensic or legal evidence 0.35#281 0.04#287
Present information in legal proceedings 0.17#303 0.02#299
Direct legal activities 0.09#319 0.03#292
Task: AI alone Task: AI + software Task: not much #: rank among all 332 activities Microsoft measured (#1 = most common; activities that never came up share last place, shown as “tied”)
Where the two sources differ: “Notify others of emergencies or problems” holds 4 tasks rated AI + software, yet people asked AI for help with it in 2.78 of every 10,000 conversations, #172 of 332.

How people in this work use Claude

What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations

  • A document or report44%
  • A plan or strategy12%
  • An analysis or summary10%
  • An explanation or answer9%
  • Advice or a recommendation3%

How they worked with Claude

64% handed the task off36% worked on it together

74% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.

How to read this

Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for detectives and criminal investigators specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.

The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.

More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude

High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs

BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.

AI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213 growingModerate151 of 206 growingHigh165 of 206 growingVery high141 of 206 growing11 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Click a dot to see that occupation.Detectives and criminal investigators: +0.2%Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsAI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213Moderate151 of 206High165 of 206Very high141 of 20611 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Tap a dot.Detectives and criminal investigators: +0.2%Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Career moves into and out of this occupation

From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.

Where people moved next

of 59,956 moves out

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 10%
  2. 2 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers High +3.5% 4%
  3. 3 Security Guards Moderate +0.9% 4%
  4. 4 First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Moderate +3.3% 4%
  5. 5 General and Operations Managers High +5.0% 3%

Where people moved in from

of 55,025 moves in

  1. 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 9%
  2. 2 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers High +3.5% 6%
  3. 3 Security Guards Moderate +0.9% 5%
  4. 4 First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Moderate +3.3% 4%
  5. 5 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%

Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).

Education and training for the occupation

Education people in it hold

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 1% less than high school
  • 8% high school
  • 19% some college
  • 9% associate's
  • 45% bachelor's
  • 16% master's
  • 2% professional degree
  • 1% doctorate

Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 1,429 people surveyed.

Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
14 programs, such as Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services, Signal/Geospatial Intelligence and Criminal Justice and Corrections, General.
See all
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
  • Signal/Geospatial Intelligence
  • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
  • Criminal Justice/Police Science
  • Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
  • Law Enforcement Record-Keeping and Evidence Management
  • Suspension and Debarment Investigation
  • Maritime Law Enforcement
  • Cultural/Archaelogical Resources Protection
  • Criminalistics and Criminal Science
  • Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
  • Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
  • Geospatial Intelligence
  • Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

93.8% this occupation

45.3% all occupations

By kindThis occupationAll occupations
a license27.5%19.1%
a certification21.1%5.8%
an educational certificate36.0%2.8%

Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this

Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor

These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide

See where your own career could go Start by uploading your resume Browse careers

BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS

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