Crime Scene Investigator | Salary & Job Information

Becoming a Crime Scene Investigator via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Saint Leo University, one of the highest ranking online schools, is a US school (accredited) offering forensic science courses to train individuals to become top-notch forensic science technicians, forensics specialists, crime scene forensics specialists, forensic scientists, detectives, forensics professionals, crime scene forensics professionals, police detectives, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 12,870 people employed as forensic science technicians alone in America, and their average annual salary is $55,070. Detectives and criminal investigators make on average $65,860 per year and there are about 110,380 of them employed today. Colleges and universities like Saint Leo University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for a Crime Scene Investigator
  • Crime Scenes
  • personal Offices
  • Police Departments
  • Courthouses
  • Forensic Laboratories
  • Autopsy Laboratories
  • Conference Rooms
  • Victims' Residence
  • Pharmacies
  • Drug Stores
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Crime Scene Investigator
  • Careers in this field continually give investigators skills
  • Ability to maintain a healthy balance of routine while enjoying a variety of environments
  • Well-paid profession
  • Qualifications allow freedom in career
  • Impressive degree
  • A vital part of police operations
  • Responsible for protecting the integrity of the evidence
  • Increases mental as well as physical strength
  • Serving the country
  • Opportunities to bring murderers rapists and kidnappers to justice
Potential Drawbacks
  • Having to work odd hours
  • Working on-call
  • Having to handle material contaminated with body fluids
  • Handling illicit drugs
  • Having contact with dangerous suspects
  • Contacting traumatized victims
  • Dealing with a lot of paperwork
  • Extreme scrutiny of your work
  • Testifying in court
  • Dealing with the personal trauma of dealing with unpleasant situations
Related Professions to Consider
  • Field Investigator
  • Senior Investigator
  • Claims Specialist Fraud Investigator
  • Criminal Investigator
  • Surveillance Investigator
  • Pharmacy Investigator
  • Senior Research Investigator
  • Retail Investigator
  • Legal Investigator
  • Intake Personnel
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Crime Scene Investigator
  • Why did you choose this particular career?
  • Do you have any situations in the past where you have had some arguments with your team members?
  • Please describe your education and training.?
  • What have been your notable achievements at work?
  • If you were unable to meet the deadline on your job what would you do?
  • Describe your ideal career.?
  • How did you hear about this opening?
  • What are five words that describe you?
  • Why do you want this position?
  • What qualities do you possess that will make you an asset to our team?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • Policemen
  • Technicians
  • S.W.A.T.
  • Forensic Labs
  • Laboratory Workers
  • Criminologists
  • Police Officers
  • Informatics Experts
  • Forensics Offices
  • Lieutenants
Crime Scene Investigator Training books Crime Scene Investigator (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Forensic Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation
  • Crime Scene Evidence
  • Crime Scene & Evidence Photography
  • Law Enforcement
  • Criminal Justice and Forensics
  • Crime Scene Investigation

Crime Scene Investigator Salary Information

Category: Forensic science technicians

Total # Employed in the US 12,870
Average Hourly Wage: $26.47/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$15.59 $19.39 $24.75 $31.84 $40.51
Average Yearly Salary $55,070
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$32,420 $40,340 $51,480 $66,240 $84,260
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
2.6% 17.5% 23.9% 12.6% 29.7% 9.4% 4.2%
Forensic science technicians — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Missouri $39.4/hr $81,950
Maine $35.3/hr $73,430
Florida $33.59/hr $69,870
Kansas $32.86/hr $68,350
Colorado $32.06/hr $66,690
Massachusetts $29.6/hr $61,570
Mississippi $28.81/hr $59,920
Montana $27.07/hr $56,300
Connecticut $26.96/hr $56,080
South Carolina $26.47/hr $55,060
Indiana $26.41/hr $54,940
Tennessee $26.23/hr $54,560
New Jersey $25.95/hr $53,970
Arkansas $25.78/hr $53,620
Alabama $25.71/hr $53,490
Ohio $25.64/hr $53,340
South Dakota $25.01/hr $52,030
Iowa $24.66/hr $51,290
Idaho $24.51/hr $50,980
North Dakota $24.23/hr $50,390
Kentucky $23.08/hr $48,010
Wyoming $22.35/hr $46,490
Guam $22.16/hr $46,090
Wisconsin $22.08/hr $45,920
New Hampshire $21.74/hr $45,210
Hawaii $21.59/hr $44,910
Oregon $21.17/hr $44,030
Maryland $20.18/hr $41,970
New Mexico $19.76/hr $41,090
Washington $19.52/hr $40,600
California $18.89/hr $39,280


Category: Detectives and criminal investigators

Total # Employed in the US 110,380
Average Hourly Wage: $31.66/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.25 $22.63 $29.86 $40.22 $48.07
Average Yearly Salary $65,860
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$37,960 $47,070 $62,110 $83,650 $99,980
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.5% 10.0% 25.9% 12.1% 40.2% 9.6% 1.8%
Detectives and criminal investigators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $45.49/hr $94,620
North Dakota $41.31/hr $85,930
Colorado $38.53/hr $80,140
District of Columbia $37.48/hr $77,960
Mississippi $37.46/hr $77,910
Indiana $36.84/hr $76,640
Kansas $36.71/hr $76,360
Alaska $35.91/hr $74,690
Delaware $34.98/hr $72,750
Connecticut $34.93/hr $72,650
New York $33.8/hr $70,310
Montana $33.64/hr $69,970
Missouri $33.64/hr $69,980
Utah $33.12/hr $68,890
Oklahoma $32.95/hr $68,530
Tennessee $32.88/hr $68,400
Virginia $32.69/hr $68,000
Nebraska $31.47/hr $65,450
South Carolina $30.87/hr $64,220
North Carolina $30.76/hr $63,980
Hawaii $30.75/hr $63,960
Louisiana $30.23/hr $62,890
Guam $30.01/hr $62,410
Puerto Rico $29.87/hr $62,130
New Jersey $29.54/hr $61,430
Pennsylvania $28.44/hr $59,160
New Mexico $28.36/hr $58,980
Wyoming $28.23/hr $58,720
West Virginia $27.54/hr $57,280
Iowa $27.53/hr $57,260
Arkansas $27.51/hr $57,230
Maryland $27.24/hr $56,660
Michigan $26.46/hr $55,040
Maine $26.34/hr $54,780
Ohio $26.27/hr $54,650
Alabama $26.13/hr $54,340
New Hampshire $26.06/hr $54,210
Wisconsin $26.05/hr $54,180
Idaho $25.73/hr $53,530
Kentucky $25.65/hr $53,350
South Dakota $24.95/hr $51,890
Massachusetts $24.95/hr $51,890
Washington $24.71/hr $51,400
California $24.71/hr $51,400
Oregon $23.2/hr $48,250
Nevada $22.63/hr $47,080


Category: Detectives and criminal investigators

Total # Employed in the US 110,380
Average Hourly Wage: $31.66/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.25 $22.63 $29.86 $40.22 $48.07
Average Yearly Salary $65,860
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$37,960 $47,070 $62,110 $83,650 $99,980
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.5% 10.0% 25.9% 12.1% 40.2% 9.6% 1.8%
Detectives and criminal investigators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $45.49/hr $94,620
North Dakota $41.31/hr $85,930
Colorado $38.53/hr $80,140
District of Columbia $37.48/hr $77,960
Mississippi $37.46/hr $77,910
Indiana $36.84/hr $76,640
Kansas $36.71/hr $76,360
Alaska $35.91/hr $74,690
Delaware $34.98/hr $72,750
Connecticut $34.93/hr $72,650
New York $33.8/hr $70,310
Montana $33.64/hr $69,970
Missouri $33.64/hr $69,980
Utah $33.12/hr $68,890
Oklahoma $32.95/hr $68,530
Tennessee $32.88/hr $68,400
Virginia $32.69/hr $68,000
Nebraska $31.47/hr $65,450
South Carolina $30.87/hr $64,220
North Carolina $30.76/hr $63,980
Hawaii $30.75/hr $63,960
Louisiana $30.23/hr $62,890
Guam $30.01/hr $62,410
Puerto Rico $29.87/hr $62,130
New Jersey $29.54/hr $61,430
Pennsylvania $28.44/hr $59,160
New Mexico $28.36/hr $58,980
Wyoming $28.23/hr $58,720
West Virginia $27.54/hr $57,280
Iowa $27.53/hr $57,260
Arkansas $27.51/hr $57,230
Maryland $27.24/hr $56,660
Michigan $26.46/hr $55,040
Maine $26.34/hr $54,780
Ohio $26.27/hr $54,650
Alabama $26.13/hr $54,340
New Hampshire $26.06/hr $54,210
Wisconsin $26.05/hr $54,180
Idaho $25.73/hr $53,530
Kentucky $25.65/hr $53,350
South Dakota $24.95/hr $51,890
Massachusetts $24.95/hr $51,890
Washington $24.71/hr $51,400
California $24.71/hr $51,400
Oregon $23.2/hr $48,250
Nevada $22.63/hr $47,080


Category: Police Identification and Records Officers

Total # Employed in the US 110,380
Average Hourly Wage: $31.66/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.25 $22.63 $29.86 $40.22 $48.07
Average Yearly Salary $65,860
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$37,960 $47,070 $62,110 $83,650 $99,980
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.5% 10.0% 25.9% 12.1% 40.2% 9.6% 1.8%


Category: Criminal Investigators and Special Agents

Total # Employed in the US 110,380
Average Hourly Wage: $31.66/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$18.25 $22.63 $29.86 $40.22 $48.07
Average Yearly Salary $65,860
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$37,960 $47,070 $62,110 $83,650 $99,980
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.5% 10.0% 25.9% 12.1% 40.2% 9.6% 1.8%


Forensic Science Programs by State & City