Detectives and criminal investigators
SOC Code: 33-3021
Detectives and criminal investigators carries a 76% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $93,580 and -0.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 117,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021) carries an AI exposure score of 76%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score above 70% signals that the majority of core duties are already technically automatable — workers in these roles face the steepest near-term displacement pressure.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 117,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -0.7% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $93,580, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Detectives and criminal investigators. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
- 2. Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
- 3. Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
- 4. Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
- 5. Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
- 6. Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
- 7. Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
- 8. Preserve, process, and analyze items of evidence obtained from crime scenes and suspects, placing them in proper containers and destroying evidence no longer needed.
- 9. Validate known intelligence with data from other sources.
- 10. Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Communications and Media
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Detectives and criminal investigators?
Detectives and criminal investigators has an AI exposure score of 76%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Many tasks in this role involve routine data processing and pattern recognition that current AI systems can perform.
What is the job outlook for Detectives and criminal investigators?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Detectives and criminal investigators is projected to decline by 0.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 117,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Detectives and criminal investigators?
Key skills for Detectives and criminal investigators include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Detectives and criminal investigators earn?
The median annual wage for Detectives and criminal investigators is $93,580, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Detectives and criminal investigators?
The typical entry-level education for Detectives and criminal investigators is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Detectives and criminal investigators?
Detectives and criminal investigators roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).