Also called: Murder Investigator
Investigates killings, from the crime scene to the arrest and trial.
Homicide detectives get called out at any hour. They work the scene with CSIs, notify families, chase leads for weeks, and testify in court years later. Cold case units reopen old murders using new DNA techniques.
Overtime is often substantial.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 8 years after high school. Years as an officer and detective first.
Ways in: On-the-job training, 4-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensic Science.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS police and detectives 2024-34.
Low risk for 10 years. DNA databases and AI video search speed leads; notifying families, interrogations and testifying stay human.
Classes: Biology, Psychology, English composition, Mock Trial.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-3021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.