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Salary and Benefits

Detective
$53K-$65K / yr. (est.)
$54K
$59,922 / year
$66K
Average base salary
The salary information provided is based on data collected from various reliable sources and may vary depending on individual qualifications and other factors.

About Detective

What does a Detective do?

As detectives, we are responsible for dealing with several serious crimes going on around us. Our job role requires us to stay vigilant and work with a team of police officers and investigators to find the culprits. As detectives, we are mainly responsible for dealing with criminal investigations and negotiations involving robbery, domestic violence, drug homicide, and cybercrime. We are in charge of gathering information, designing a plan, and implementing successful strategies. Along with all these roles, we also handle the paperwork of serious cases.

Core tasks:

  • creating plans to hunt the criminals
  • leading drug, fraud fire, and firearm squad
  • carrying out negotiations with the suspects and culprits
  • documenting the data and handling records

Insights

How Many Years of Experience Do Professionals Need Before Becoming Detective?
On average, people work 3-5 years in other positions prior to becoming a Detective.
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DetectiveSan Francisco, CA - A year ago
🤨 This infographic seems way off. I know plenty of brilliant Detectives who started their careers without any prior experience. Experience isn't everything!
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DetectiveBoston, MA - A year ago
This seems about right to me. It takes time to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to be a successful Detective.
How Long Do Detective Employees Typically Stay in Their Roles?
On average, Detectives works in this position for 5+ years across multiple employers.
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Private InvestigatorMiami, FL - A year ago
Having worked as a Private Investigator for years, I know how important it is for successful detectives to have diverse experiences and learn from multiple employers. 💼
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JournalistSan Francisco, CA - A year ago
Detectives' expertise gained over 5+ years will make their insights invaluable for journalists pursuing investigative reporting. 📰
What Is the Job Hopper Score for Detective Employees?
Moderate job changes in Detective, showing some career movement without excessive turnover.
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JournalistChicago, IL - A year ago
Detectives serve as invaluable sources of information for journalists like me. Their insight and cooperation help shed light on important stories. 📰
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Security GuardMiami, FL - A year ago
Detectives provide a crucial sense of safety and security for everyone in the community. I respect their vigilance and dedication to our protection. 🛡

Career path

Path to job

Discover a Detective's areas of knowledge sorted by their majors.
Explore the list of higher education institutions that a Detective typically studied at.
City University of New York-John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Eastern Kentucky University

Path after job

Community

Demographics

What Is the Age and Gender Ratio of Detective Employees?
Gender ratio in Detective position: 0.870514039741729 Male and 0.129485960258271 Female. Age ratio in Detective position: 16-20: 12%, 21-30: 56%, 31-40: 24%, 41-50: 6%, 51-60: 2%, 60+: 0%. Detective position is predominantly male (87.1%) with the largest age group being 21-30 years old, followed by 31-40 years old.
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DetectiveOrlando, FL - A year ago
What's wrong with being a detective in your 50s or 60s? Age is just a number. We can still crack cases like nobody's business! 🧐
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DetectiveSan Francisco, CA - A year ago
No one above 60 years old? They're missing out on the expertise of seasoned detectives. Ageism needs to be tackled in this industry. 👴

Workplaces

Who Are the Top Employers for Detective?
Top employers of Detective position: Baltimore City Police Department, Chicago Police Department, LAPD. People who work in Detective position most typically go on to work for the Baltimore City Police Department.
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DetectiveBaltimore, MD - A year ago
I'm proud to be part of the Baltimore City Police Department. Our detectives work their tails off and deserve the recognition.
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DetectiveSeattle, WA - A year ago
All these big city departments... what about acknowledging the hardworking detectives in smaller towns who solve cases with limited resources?
Baltimore City Police Department
Chicago Police Department
LAPD
What Industries Does Detective Typically Have Experience In?
Industry Background: The most typical industries of Detective: Public Administration, Real Estate / Rental / Leasing, Professional / Scientific / Technical, Education, Manufacturing. Detective employees most likely come from a Public Administration industry background.
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DetectiveMiami, FL - A year ago
As an educator-turned-detective, it's fulfilling to keep the school environment safe and protect students from potential harm! 🎓
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DetectiveSeattle, WA - A year ago
Even in the tech-savvy world, manufacturing crimes occur. As a Detective in the Manufacturing industry, I utilize my intuition and skills to investigate and prevent such offenses. 💻

Find your job as Detective

Discussion about Detective

Want to know more about Detective position?
Share your thoughts and ideas about Detective position with others in our community.
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What do people wear if they work as a Detective?
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A year ago
Well, business attire. But nothing Kevlar wise unless.
Do a lot of women work as a Detective?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
More men than women work as a Detective.
How old are people who work as a Detective?
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Isabella Holmes3 years ago
29 is the average age of people working as a Detective.
How much experience do you need to work as a Detective?
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Isabella Holmes3 years ago
You should work for 4 years on average to become a Detective.
Which industries are highly likely to employ a Detective?
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Benjamin Gardner3 years ago
Public Administration is typical for a Detective to work in.
What kind of higher education a Detective need?
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Benjamin Gardner3 years ago
No higher education could not hurt if you want to be a Detective
Which company is likely to have openings for Detective positions?
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Isabella Holmes3 years ago
Baltimore City Police Department, Chicago Police Department, LAPD, New York Police Department and NYPD employs the most people in the Detective role.
How many years of experience as a Detective is needed in average to switch to another position?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
You should work for more than 5 years before considering changing to another role.
How frequently people change companies if they work as a Detective?
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Benjamin Gardner3 years ago
a Detective is not a typical job hopper, but might change companies.
What work history do people usually have before becoming a Detective?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
A Detective probably worked as Police Officer, Patrol Officer or Deputy Sheriff before
What are the typical next steps for someone working as a Detective?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
Working as Detective consider Sergeant, Police Sergeant or Investigator as a next step in your career.
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