What they do
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
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Also called: |
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), Criminal Investigator, Detective, Fugitive Detective, Fugitive Investigator, Investigator, Narcotics Detective, Narcotics Investigator, Police Detective, Special Agent
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Wages
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Vermont - 2021 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 29.39 |
$61,130 |
25% |
$ 38.49 |
$80,060 |
Median |
$ 44.03 |
$91,580 |
75% |
$ 45.94 |
$95,560 |
90% |
$ 65.12 |
$135,450 |
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Average |
$ 44.87 |
$93,340 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 41% |
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
| 38% |
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
| 21% |
- Educational services; state, local, and private
| 0% |
| 0% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
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- Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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- Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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- Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
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- Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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- Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
205 |
2030 employment |
217 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.6% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
16 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
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- Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level |  | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate |  | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate |  | 0% |
Bachelor's degree |  | 10% |
Associate's degree |  | 20% |
Certificate or some college, no degree |  | 38% |
High school diploma or equivalent |  | 32% |
Less than high school diploma |  | 0% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Check physical condition of people or animals.
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- Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
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- Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.
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- Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas.
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- Prepare investigation or incident reports.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
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- Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
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- Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
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- Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
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- Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
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More at O*NET |
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