Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington
Want to work as a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington? Here’s what the data says. Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes. Excludes “Private Detectives and Investigators” (33-9021).
What do Detectives and Criminal Investigators Make in Washington?
For a detectives and criminal investigators working in Washington, wages run about $116,450 per year (or about $55.99/hour).Annual wages span from $86,200 at the 10th percentile to $164,240 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| 25th percentile | $97,500 | $46.88 |
| Median (50th) | $116,450 | $55.99 |
| 75th percentile | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| 90th percentile | $164,240 | $78.96 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Washington relative to the national average — is 0.66, meaning fewer detectives and criminal investigators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, detectives and criminal investigators earn a median of $64,492 per year ($31.01/hour), higher than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 410,420 detectives and criminal investigators nationwide. In Washington alone, approximately 1,680 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,240 detectives and criminal investigators.
Top Washington Metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
These are the Washington metros with the most detectives and criminal investigators in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 680 | $122,450 |
| Bellingham, WA | 260 | $120,080 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 260 | $107,580 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 180 | $86,200 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 40 | $113,590 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 40 | $103,940 |
Top States for Detectives and Criminal Investigators Employment
View the states that employ the most detectives and criminal investigators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 18,020 |
| California | 11,900 |
| New York | 9,410 |
| Florida | 6,310 |
| Arizona | 5,220 |
| Georgia | 4,820 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,390 |
| North Carolina | 3,240 |
| Virginia | 3,170 |
| Illinois | 3,100 |
| New Jersey | 3,000 |
| Ohio | 2,120 |
| Michigan | 2,050 |
| Colorado | 2,030 |
| New Mexico | 2,000 |
| Tennessee | 1,960 |
| Louisiana | 1,870 |
| Minnesota | 1,770 |
| Washington | 1,680 |
| Wisconsin | 1,480 |
Highest-Paying States for Detectives and Criminal Investigators
These states pay the most for detectives and criminal investigators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $125,630 |
| California | $122,140 |
| Alaska | $121,140 |
| Washington | $116,450 |
| New Jersey | $113,830 |
| Hawaii | $112,100 |
| Massachusetts | $111,460 |
| Virginia | $110,220 |
| Oregon | $107,450 |
| Vermont | $104,330 |
Skills
The most important detectives and criminal investigators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for detectives and criminal investigators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
- Note, mark, and photograph location of objects found, such as footprints, tire tracks, bullets and bloodstains, and take measurements of the scene.
- Examine records and governmental agency files to find identifying data about suspects.
- Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
- Provide information to lab personnel concerning the source of an item of evidence and tests to be performed.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Linux In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Criminal Justice & Corrections
- Security Science and Technology
- Natural Resource Management
- Intelligence & Command Operations
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to detectives and criminal investigators include:
- Compliance Officers
- Coroners
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Lawyers
Also Known As
Air Marshal, Burglary Investigator, CIA Agent (Central Intelligence Agency Agent), Child Support Agent, Child Support Investigator, Child Support Officer, City Detective, Counter Intelligence Agent, Crime Analyst, Crime Investigator Special Agent, Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), Criminal Analyst, Criminal Investigations Agent, Criminal Investigative Agent, Criminal Investigator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 33-3021.00
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