Detectives Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Detectives usually have a high school education and many of them are college graduates. A number of colleges and universities offer programs in law enforcement or justice administration. Courses in criminal justice and police science can also be helpful for those wishing to pursue the profession. One can enter the occupation directly after graduation from college, generally with an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or police science. However, most skills are learned while on the job.
Training and Education
Workers often find employers are looking for work experience in a related occupation. Employees, in 54% of cases, have bachelor's degree or higher. After high school, 35% of detectives pursued some additional career education. Workers, in 10% of cases, had only a high school education.
Job Overview
Detectives primarily collect facts and evidence in relation to criminal cases. They conduct interviews, examine records, observe the activities of suspects and are also involved in raids and arrests. They usually specialize in investigating a particular kind of violation, such as homicide or fraud. Detectives are assigned cases on a rotational basis and work on them until an arrest and conviction is made, or until the case is dropped. They work in state and local police departments as well as in federal agencies. Detectives are also responsible for writing reports and maintaining thorough records that can used in judicial proceedings.
Job Requirements
The appointment of detectives is governed by civil service regulations in most places. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and be older than 20 years old. They have to clear a background check and pass a physical examination, which tests vision, hearing, strength and agility. Detectives are required to have a license in every state. However, licensing requirements vary from one state to the other.
In addition to educational qualifications, detectives should possess qualities like ingenuity, persistence and assertiveness. They should be able to communicate well and take decisions independently. Personal characteristics such as honesty, sound judgment, integrity and a sense of responsibility are very important. Detectives should acquire good interviewing and interrogation skills. They should be able to present the facts in a believable manner in front of the jury.
Nature of Work
The work of detectives can often prove to be very dangerous and stressful. Being alert and prepared to deal with threatening situations is extremely necessary. Detectives are usually scheduled to work 40 hours a week, but they often work longer and irregular hours.
Area Job Conditions
Employees -of-a-feather seem to flock to Laredo (Texas), Yuma (Arizona), and Brunswick (Georgia). They are less likely to be found around Bakersfield (California), Provo (Utah), and Bethesda (Maryland).
Compensation of detectives is best in Edison (New Jersey), Oakland (California), and San Jose (California), and much worse in Jefferson City (Missouri), Spartanburg (South Carolina), and Monroe (Louisiana).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Detectives employed part-time are 2% of the total.
Career Videos
Detectives by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | $51,000 | 40 | +76% |
| Birmingham | $73,000 | 260 | -7% |
| Mobile | $76,000 | 110 | +13% |
| Montgomery | $60,000 | 210 | +134% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $81,000 | 40 | +40% |
| Kingman | $54,000 | 30 | +27% |
| Phoenix | $72,000 | 1,360 | +34% |
| Yuma | $71,000 | 710 | +2428% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $60,000 | 80 | -29% |
| Fort Smith | $55,000 | 50 | -25% |
| Little Rock | $62,000 | 220 | +12% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | $73,000 | 30 | -17% |
| El Centro | $70,000 | 920 | +3586% |
| Modesto | $77,000 | 80 | -6% |
| Oakland | $103,000 | 530 | -8% |
| Riverside | $85,000 | 1,010 | +46% |
| Sacramento | 620 | +25% | |
| Santa Ana | $95,000 | 550 | -34% |
| Santa Barbara | $84,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Santa Rosa | $95,000 | 50 | -48% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | 50 | -40% | |
| Denver | $84,000 | 1,110 | +55% |
| Fort Collins | $67,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Greeley | $64,000 | 40 | +6% |
| Pueblo | $74,000 | 60 | +108% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $74,000 | 270 | +11% |
| Hartford | $79,000 | 400 | +22% |
| New Haven | $88,000 | 200 | +31% |
| Norwich | $69,000 | 70 | +6% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $93,000 | 80 | -57% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $106,000 | 4,490 | +220% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $49,000 | 130 | +55% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $80,000 | 1,100 | +175% |
| Jacksonville | $75,000 | 420 | +22% |
| Miami | $90,000 | 1,010 | +79% |
| Orlando | $60,000 | 700 | +20% |
| Panama City | $66,000 | 60 | +69% |
| Port St Lucie | $68,000 | 100 | +56% |
| Sarasota | $64,000 | 150 | +9% |
| Tampa | $75,000 | 1,030 | +57% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $51,000 | 90 | +185% |
| Athens | $50,000 | 40 | +9% |
| Atlanta | $57,000 | 2,840 | +113% |
| Augusta | $52,000 | 170 | +49% |
| Brunswick | $93,000 | 340 | +1587% |
| Dalton | $46,000 | 30 | -14% |
| Savannah | $70,000 | 120 | +47% |
| Valdosta | $39,000 | 70 | +182% |
| Warner Robins | $48,000 | 40 | +48% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $83,000 | 380 | +52% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $67,000 | 170 | +16% |
| Pocatello | $56,000 | 50 | +248% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $76,000 | 40 | -27% |
| Chicago | $90,000 | 1,940 | -11% |
| Peoria | $81,000 | 30 | -68% |
| Rockford | $74,000 | 40 | -48% |
| Springfield | $75,000 | 190 | +229% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart | $42,000 | 40 | -31% |
| Gary | $73,000 | 120 | -21% |
| Indianapolis | $68,000 | 370 | -28% |
| Terre Haute | $40,000 | 30 | -15% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $84,000 | 40 | -47% |
| Davenport | $70,000 | 100 | -3% |
| Des Moines | $72,000 | 160 | -14% |
| Sioux City | $81,000 | 40 | +6% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $48,000 | 180 | +204% |
| Wichita | 220 | +36% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $70,000 | 100 | -26% |
| Louisville | $71,000 | 180 | -48% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $59,000 | 280 | +33% |
| Lafayette | $51,000 | 90 | +15% |
| Lake Charles | $71,000 | 200 | +329% |
| Monroe | $46,000 | 150 | +276% |
| New Orleans | $65,000 | 690 | +128% |
| Shreveport | $58,000 | 160 | +61% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $58,000 | 50 | +59% |
| Portland | $70,000 | 150 | +35% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $83,000 | 830 | +10% |
| Bethesda | $87,000 | 180 | -46% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $65,000 | 60 | +13% |
| Boston | $79,000 | 1,150 | +15% |
| Springfield | $74,000 | 110 | -35% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $79,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Detroit | $88,000 | 790 | +106% |
| Flint | $85,000 | 40 | -43% |
| Warren | $76,000 | 290 | -53% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $64,000 | 130 | +84% |
| Minneapolis | $73,000 | 890 | -13% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $66,000 | 150 | +160% |
| Hattiesburg | 40 | +37% | |
| Jackson | $60,000 | 480 | +237% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | $43,000 | 160 | +315% |
| Kansas City | $69,000 | 770 | +32% |
| Springfield | $78,000 | 70 | -34% |
| St Louis | $73,000 | 670 | -13% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $70,000 | 50 | +89% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $71,000 | 190 | -29% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $78,000 | 430 | -12% |
| Reno | $85,000 | 110 | +4% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashua | $64,000 | 40 | -46% |
| Portsmouth | $86,000 | 40 | +36% |
| Rochester | $54,000 | 30 | +11% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $86,000 | 390 | +30% |
| Edison | $100,000 | 540 | -9% |
| Newark | $94,000 | 1,050 | +83% |
| Trenton | $89,000 | 280 | +120% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $91,000 | 170 | -22% |
| Farmington | $51,000 | 50 | +101% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $67,000 | 1,390 | +441% |
| Buffalo | $75,000 | 680 | +115% |
| Kingston | $57,000 | 40 | +29% |
| Poughkeepsie | $76,000 | 120 | -13% |
| Rochester | $71,000 | 200 | -31% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $54,000 | 140 | +43% |
| Charlotte | $62,000 | 550 | +12% |
| Durham | $46,000 | 110 | -29% |
| Fayetteville | $53,000 | 210 | +206% |
| Goldsboro | $42,000 | 40 | +101% |
| Greensboro | $55,000 | 310 | +53% |
| Greenville | $51,000 | 60 | +72% |
| Hickory | $43,000 | 130 | +61% |
| Jacksonville | $55,000 | 100 | +375% |
| Raleigh | $59,000 | 530 | +79% |
| Wilmington | $56,000 | 180 | +142% |
| Winston Salem | $52,000 | 100 | -15% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $84,000 | 50 | -24% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $80,000 | 100 | -45% |
| Canton | $55,000 | 60 | -35% |
| Cincinnati | $72,000 | 500 | -14% |
| Cleveland | $77,000 | 680 | +16% |
| Dayton | $70,000 | 180 | -17% |
| Toledo | $61,000 | 150 | -10% |
| Youngstown | $57,000 | 170 | +34% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $65,000 | 700 | +112% |
| Tulsa | $60,000 | 380 | +55% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $78,000 | 30 | -61% |
| Portland | $82,000 | 390 | -34% |
| Salem | $58,000 | 120 | +47% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $70,000 | 110 | -44% |
| Harrisburg | $68,000 | 250 | +38% |
| Lancaster | $62,000 | 50 | -62% |
| Philadelphia | $79,000 | 1,710 | +55% |
| Pittsburgh | $75,000 | 610 | -8% |
| Reading | $73,000 | 60 | -35% |
| Scranton | $72,000 | 90 | -39% |
| Williamsport | $48,000 | 30 | +15% |
| York | $68,000 | 40 | -59% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $71,000 | 390 | +22% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $82,000 | 130 | -20% |
| Columbia | $58,000 | 310 | +56% |
| Florence | $52,000 | 90 | +117% |
| Greenville | $70,000 | 110 | -35% |
| Myrtle Beach | $54,000 | 40 | -32% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $70,000 | 50 | +52% |
| Sioux Falls | 70 | -8% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $58,000 | 140 | +10% |
| Jackson | $59,000 | 50 | +67% |
| Johnson City | $50,000 | 50 | +34% |
| Kingsport | $52,000 | 110 | +67% |
| Knoxville | $69,000 | 160 | -15% |
| Memphis | $62,000 | 340 | -4% |
| Morristown | $44,000 | 40 | +76% |
| Nashville | $65,000 | 410 | -4% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $52,000 | 70 | +116% |
| Amarillo | $57,000 | 70 | +22% |
| Austin | $61,000 | 1,390 | +208% |
| Beaumont | $57,000 | 130 | +47% |
| Brownsville | $73,000 | 880 | +1142% |
| Corpus Christi | $67,000 | 190 | +92% |
| Dallas | $81,000 | 1,070 | -12% |
| Fort Worth | $64,000 | 480 | -3% |
| Houston | $79,000 | 1,790 | +18% |
| Killeen | $50,000 | 120 | +72% |
| Longview | $45,000 | 70 | +38% |
| Mcallen | $68,000 | 850 | +562% |
| Midland | $67,000 | 50 | +55% |
| San Angelo | $84,000 | 70 | +243% |
| San Antonio | 1,160 | +131% | |
| Texarkana | $61,000 | 30 | +9% |
| Tyler | $56,000 | 90 | +88% |
| Waco | $59,000 | 80 | +50% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $72,000 | 70 | -37% |
| Provo | $58,000 | 30 | -68% |
| Salt Lake City | $71,000 | 270 | -23% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $84,000 | 60 | 0% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $62,000 | 70 | +125% |
| Charlottesville | $68,000 | 60 | +31% |
| Lynchburg | $65,000 | 100 | +90% |
| Richmond | $76,000 | 400 | +14% |
| Roanoke | $74,000 | 140 | +64% |
| Virginia Beach | $73,000 | 430 | -1% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | $83,000 | 40 | -8% |
| Kennewick | $83,000 | 50 | -6% |
| Olympia | $59,000 | 100 | +89% |
| Tacoma | $83,000 | 180 | +21% |
| Yakima | $81,000 | 50 | +14% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $55,000 | 160 | +101% |
| Huntington | $58,000 | 30 | -51% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire | $66,000 | 40 | +4% |
| Green Bay | $71,000 | 30 | -68% |
| Madison | $68,000 | 220 | +15% |
| Milwaukee | $78,000 | 490 | +3% |