What are the top-rated crime and investigation jobs in the USA?

Key takeaways

There has been an increase in demand for crime and investigation experts ever since the rise in new types of crimes such as cyber frauds.
Many top crime and investigation jobs require formal education in criminal justice, criminology, cybersecurity, or forensic science.
Location or state makes a huge difference on finding good job prospects. BLS tells us that Texas has the highest employment rates for crime and investigations careers.
Internships and part-time work under qualified mentors can help you start early in your career.
Industry-recognized certifications, such as Crime Scene Certification or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), improve employability.
Popular roles include Criminal Investigator, Crime Scene Investigator, Cybercrime Specialist, Forensic Scientist, Private Investigator, and Evidence Custodian.

Crime and investigation careers will always remain in demand — today than ever. With the rising crime rates and new forms of criminal activities such as cyber frauds emerging, there is also a growing need for more young and fresh talent in the workforce. Many government and private companies are always on the lookout for crime and investigation experts who are qualified enough to maintain and uphold the justice system.

Whether you are a recent graduate or are considering majoring in crime and investigation in college, this article offers in-depth insights for you. We talk about the top recommendations for landing the best crime and investigation jobs, followed by a detailed list of the most popular job titles that you can find in the USA. Let’s explore the career prospects for crime, investigation, and justice administration fields!

How to get crime and investigation jobs?

Crime and investigation jobs

Yes, we all know that there is a persistent demand for crime and investigation specialists in the US. However, many people, especially young students and fresh graduates, keep wondering how to land the best crime and investigation careers. So, to help you get started, here are some recommendations:

Get a bachelor’s degree

Most typically, the best crime and investigation jobs require formal education and qualification in a related field. Therefore, it is almost vital for you to explore academic paths that can lead you to a full-fledged career in crime and investigation.

Fortunately enough, there is an excellent variety of colleges and universities that offer amazing bachelor programs. You can very easily find some of the top-ranked criminal justice, criminology, and other related bachelor degrees. We have detailed guides to help you narrow down the best options. Explore these degrees for successful criminal investigation careers:

Pick a good location

According to many reports by BLS, different professions have different outlooks depending on the location, such as cities and states. For example, a detailed report by BLS shows that Texas has the highest employment rates for crime and investigation jobs. This statistic makes Texas a preferable state to find relevant work opportunities in. Moreover, there are also varying employment numbers in cities in the same state.

Therefore, when you are trying to kickstart your criminal investigation careers, you must choose the location very carefully. Opt for a state or city that has good employment rates, has developed facilities and institutions that need your expertise, and has a good pay scale as well. You may also explore these career guides to learn more:

Use online job boards

In this day and age of technology, every aspect of our lives is dependent on online platforms. This is the same for job hunting. So, when you graduate with a bachelor’s in crime and investigation or are finally stepping into the professional world, you really need to make the most of online job boards.

Firstly, these platforms have a huge amount of job postings that you may be eligible for. Secondly, these platforms are not just for finding jobs but also for connecting and networking with industry experts. They are also great for staying on top of industry trends, which can give you an edge in job interviews.

Furthermore, online job boards are convenient and quick. This makes finding a job much more streamlined. These platforms are free of cost, and anyone with any level of experience or education can join.

Start early

Speaking on online job boards and their extensive accessibility, we strongly recommend that you join these platforms early in your career. Even if you are not graduated or qualified for particular jobs, you should join professional networks and job boards to stay in touch with the industry.

In addition to this, there are also other ways to stay ahead in your career. For example, you must get an internship, find part-time work, work with, or find work on-campus to get hands-on experience. These are all possible options for full-time students. Another excellent way to start early is by attending job and career fairs. These are great spots for interacting with industry experts and finding like-minded people.

Opt for add-on qualifications

To further enhance your job prospects, we strongly recommend opting for additional qualifications. Getting certain certifications may also be a requirement for particular job roles. Some of the most common certifications for crime and investigation jobs in the USA include:

Other than these technical certifications, you can also make use of some transferable skills and certifications. There are numerous communications trainings held by entities as well as individual trainers. These trainings are great for enhancing your communication skills so that you may be more employable for lead and managerial positions.

What are the most popular crime and investigation jobs?

List of top crime and investigation jobs in the USA

So, now we come to the most important section of the article. Here, we will discuss the career opportunities and crime and investigation jobs that you may be eligible for after graduating. The realm of crime and investigation offers a variety of career opportunities. These are diverse roles, each playing a crucial part in upholding justice and ensuring public safety.

From homeland security to cybersecurity to rehabilitation programs, crime and investigation careers are everywhere. So, we have used current job postings, openings, and industry trends to list a bunch of top-paying, best crime and investigation jobs in the USA:

Criminal investigator

Criminal investigator is one of the most straightforward and mainstream career paths people choose in crime and investigation careers. Moreover, CIs are also sometimes referred to just as detectives. These job roles are found in different departments, such as homicide and robberies. Furthermore, their job roles typically involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to piece together the events surrounding a crime. Their work culminates in detailed reports that aid in prosecutions. Lastly, positions for criminal investigators are available across various levels of government and private sectors.

Crime scene investigator

Crime scene investigators are also sometimes referred to as CSIs. Firstly, they play a crucial role in crimes such as robberies and homicides. Their main role is related to documenting and collecting physical evidence from crime scenes. Their responsibilities include photographing scenes, collecting fingerprints, and ensuring the proper preservation of evidence for forensic analysis.

Moreover, a key skill needed for this job is a keen eye for detail. This skill ensures that crucial evidence is not overlooked. Furthermore, most of their work day involves a lot of fieldwork and rigorous conditions as well.

Cybercrime specialist

In this day and age of technology, cybercrimes are at an all-time high. In addition to this, many private and government level institutions are now seeking young minds that are experts in cybercrimes. Furthermore, there are many particular cybercrime bachelor’s degrees available that you can explore to become eligible for this high in-demand and high-paying job. Lastly, cybercrime specialists are expected to employ advanced digital forensics tools to trace cyber threats and collaborate with other agencies to apprehend perpetrators.

Forensic scientist/technician

Forensic scientists are typically in mid-senior level roles, and you may find jobs titled “forensic technician” for beginner or entry level. This is an extremely interesting yet highly specialized field. Forensic scientists and forensic science technicians play a crucial role in solving crimes by analyzing physical evidence collected from crime scenes. Their work bridges the gap between law enforcement and science, ensuring that investigations are supported by objective, scientific findings.

Moreover, some of the core evidence discoveries and criminal conclusions are dependent on the work of forensic specialists. Therefore, a specialized degree in forensic science may be the ideal academic qualification to become eligible for this high-paying and prestigious job.

Private investigator

Private investigation professions are not as regulated as other crime and investigation jobs. There are lots of gray areas concerning the ethical implications of PIs. However, it is still a very well-paying and completely recognized profession in most states and locations. This job role is excellent for taking on when you have some work experience up your sleeve.

Later in your career, when you have worked with different investigations, you can offer PI services at exclusive rates. Typically, private investigation services are offered to individuals, businesses, and legal entities. Their assignments can range from conducting background checks to locating missing persons.

Evidence custodian

Without evidence, there is no crime or case to investigate and solve. All detectives, investigators, forensic technicians, and everyone else in between is dependent on evidence. Therefore, in the crime and investigation industry, evidence custodian is a highly crucial job. So, you can say that it is the backbone of law enforcement.

Moreover, evidence custodians play a crucial role in maintaining and preserving all the evidence collected from and beyond the crime scene. Additionally, they act as the gatekeepers of justice, managing secure evidence storage facilities, detailed chain-of-custody records and coordinating with forensic analysts, detectives, and attorneys to ensure that critical evidence is available for court proceedings.

Get a crime and investigation degree today!

In conclusion, crime detective jobs are extremely unique and interesting. The nature of the work keeps you on your toes at all times, ensuring that you stay motivated and always have of variety to work with. In this article, we have explored the top-rate crime and investigation jobs that include many prestigious job roles such as forensic scientist and cybercrime specialist. However, to become eligible for these roles, you must have some qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree in a related field. So, don’t shy away from exploring your college options to kickstart your criminal investigations career today!