
Rachel Drummond
CSI is more than the title of a top-rated, long-running television show with spinoffs galore; it also happens to be a very viable and very popular career field.
Many of those interested in crime scene investigation start down the path because of things read in books or seen on television or in the movies. Of course, the actual career of a crime scene investigator is not precisely the same as those portrayed on television. However, it is still a very exciting career that calls to many and is worth exploring for those drawn to it.
A CSI agent, a title that’s interchangeable with a crime scene investigator, has many responsibilities at a crime scene. They will walk through the crime scene, look for evidence, and collect it using a precise methodology that protects it from contamination. A CSI agent may also be tasked with taking photos of the scene and making sketches for later recreation and presentation in court.
Some of the types of evidence that a CSI agent is likely to collect at crime scenes include fingerprints, bodily fluids, and weapons. When a CSI agent collects the evidence, they also catalog it before transferring it to a lab. Crime scene investigators also have to present their findings to others on their team, attorneys, and trials in many cases. The work schedule of an investigator can vary. Crime never sleeps, so it is common to have to work in the evenings and on holidays.
While the responsibilities of a crime scene investigator are similar to police detectives, aspiring CSI agents wonder: what does the job demand look like for crime scene investigators in the coming years? And how much do CSI agents make?
Read on to learn more about the career and salary outlook for CSI investigators.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022) does not distinguish crime scene investigators from forensic science technicians for their data collection purposes. That being said, the BLS estimates that both occupations will be in demand between 2022 and 2032, with one experiencing a higher rate of growth than the current national average for all occupations (3 percent).
Police and detective careers are projected to grow at 3 percent nationally, adding 23,800 new positions in the coming decade (2022-2032), adding to the existing 808,700 jobs (BLS 2023). By comparison, forensic science technicians will grow 13 percent—more than five times the growth rate for all occupations—representing the creation of 2,300 new jobs in the same period. While not all of these jobs will be specific to crime scene investigation, some certainly will.
Because of the popularity of the field, those who enter it will likely find stiff competition for jobs. Those with more education, such as a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a similar field, such as criminal justice, or those with experience working with law enforcement in another capacity, may have an advantage when looking for and finding CSI agent positions.
How many crime scene investigators are currently employed? The International Crime Scene Investigators Association (ICSIA) states that over 18,000 police agencies are in the country, but few hire full-time civilian CSIs. Most, but not all, full-time CSIs begin their careers as sworn-in police officers and work their way towards specialized work in crime scene investigation.
In October 2022, PayScale reported the aggregated salary profiles of 226 crime scene investigators. By comparison, the BLS (May 2022) shows that 107,400 detectives and criminal investigators were employed.
These numbers are approximations but can be an excellent place to start when considering the demand for this position. Smaller agencies may need specialists, and officers often take care of many of the duties a specialist would in different locales. This means that the competition could be fierce for these jobs, so aspiring CSIs are advised to seek out education and training opportunities to increase their job prospects.
How much do CSI agents make? The answer depends on the educational pathway and professional experience. Regardless of how they begin their careers, crime scene investigators must consider the salary and the potential to make a good living over multiple years in a job.
To factor in the cross-over in responsibilities and titles, occupational data for police, detectives, and forensic science technicians are used to determine salary data accurately. According to the BLS, in May 2022, police and detectives earned median annual salaries of $69,160 per year (BLS May 2022), while forensic science technicians earned median salaries of $63,740 (BLS May 2022).
As with most positions, salaries vary widely based on experience and location. The BLS indicates the following salary percentiles for detectives and criminal investigators (BLS May 2022):
Salary percentiles for forensic science technicians were comparable. The BLS indicates the following salary percentiles for forensic science technicians (BLS May 2022):
As mentioned above, PayScale.com aggregates self-reported salary data and reports position-specific salary data for CSIs. Among the 226 CSIs who reported their salaries to this site, the annual median wage for crime scene investigators was $51,000 (PayScale Sept. 2023). The lower 10 percent earned $39,000, and the upper 10 percent earned $75,000.
The available data shows that a CSI makes somewhat less on average than a forensic science technician. Of course, this comparison also does not negate that CSIs working in more urban areas or with more experience are likely to make more than their more rural or less experienced counterparts.
To illustrate this point, here are the annual mean wages for the ten top-paying metropolitan areas for detectives and criminal investigators, five of which are in California (BLS May 2022):
By comparison, the ten top-paying metropolitan areas for forensic science technicians are as follows, seven of which are in California (BLS May 2022):
Cost of living influences salary data and aspiring CSI agents are encouraged to use tools such as the cost of living data series provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) when considering job offers. For example, several of the metropolitan areas listed above are on MERIC’s list of 20 most expensive states to live in. A job in an Indiana city could be more cost-effective given that living expenses such as food, housing, transportation, and utilities are statistically cheaper in this state.
As discussed above, there is no one-size-fits-all path to pursuing a career as a crime scene investigator. In particular, those interested in the job will need to decide whether they wish to seek a law enforcement officer position or try to be hired as a civilian CSI. Below are some of the most common steps followed towards the CSI career.
Overall, the timeline to getting started in this career depends heavily on whether one chooses the law enforcement or bachelor’s degree route. Because a police academy typically takes less than a year to complete, this could be the more direct route. However, earning a bachelor’s degree may give new CSI agents an advantage in the future to pursue other avenues of work.
Perhaps the most essential skill for a crime scene investigator is staying calm and composed at a crime scene. Those who pursue work in crime scene investigation have to maintain objectivity and focus on disturbing crime scenes, so having the ability to maintain professionalism in the face of chaos or violence is important. Attention to detail, as well as problem-solving skills, are vital tools to have as well. Excellent communication skills – written and verbal – are important for writing reports, speaking with team members, and testifying in court.
While every crime and every crime scene will be different, the reality is that the rigorous processes put into place by investigators, including CSI agents, ensure every crime is investigated thoroughly and accurately. On a regular basis, crime scene investigators:
The tasks that CSIs will find themselves doing depend on their experience level. New CSIs will likely spend more time physically collecting and tagging the mountains of evidence found at a crime scene or even working in the evidence storage room to ensure things are organized. With time, CSI agents will spend more time recreating crime scenes, working with detectives, and supervising evidence collection.
Law enforcement officers are subject to location-specific education and training requirements.
Again, certification is not strictly required to earn a job in the CSI field. However, it can lend credibility to a CSI’s proficiency and increase promotion opportunities. Some notable organizations offer crime scene investigation certifications that may be useful in advancing in the CSI career, including:
Again, certification is not strictly required to earn a job or a promotion in the crime scene investigation field; however, it can lend credibility to a CSIs expertise and may be worth pursuing after gaining some experience in the field.
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Rachel Drummond
Rachel Drummond is a freelance writer, educator, and yogini from Oregon. She’s taught English to international university students in the United States and Japan for more than a decade and has a master’s degree in education from the University of Oregon. Rachel writes about meditation, yoga, coaching, and more on her blog (Instagram: @racheldrummondyoga).