How much does a Crime Scene Investigator make?

As of January 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Crime Scene Investigator in the United States is $77,444. While Salary.com is seeing that Crime Scene Investigator salary in the US can go up to $92,785 or down to $40,474, but most earn between $58,093 and $85,474. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

View Crime Scene Investigator Salary by Hour, Week, Month, Year

Salary.com provides you with accurate and diversified Crime Scene Investigator salary data based on specialized databases to help you get a fairer salary. Click the switch button below to see more details about Crime Scene Investigator hourly pay, weekly pay, monthly pay and so on.

Crime Scene Investigator Salaries by Percentile
Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $85,474 $7,123 $1,644 $41
Average $77,444 $6,454 $1,489 $37
25th Percentile $58,093 $4,841 $1,117 $28
25% $58,093 10% $40,474 90% $92,785 75% $85,474 $77,444 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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View Crime Scene Investigator Salary by Experience Levels

An entry-level Crime Scene Investigator with no related experience makes about $69,578. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Crime Scene Investigator makes around $71,038. After 2-4 years, the Crime Scene Investigator pay rises to about $73,960. Those senior Crime Scene Investigator with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $79,799, and those Crime Scene Investigator having 8 years or more experience are expected to earn about $82,589 on average.

Best Paying States for Crime Scene Investigator

The states and districts that pay Crime Scene Investigator the highest salary are District of Columbia (around $86,195) , California (around $85,421) , New Jersey (around $84,879) , Alaska (around $84,337) , Massachusetts (around $84,259), Washington (around $83,485), Connecticut (around $83,175).

States Salary
District of Columbia $86,195
California $85,421
New Jersey $84,879
Alaska $84,337
Massachusetts $84,259
Washington $83,485
Connecticut $83,175

Highest Paying Cities for Crime Scene Investigator

The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the Crime Scene Investigator profession are San Jose,CA, San Francisco,CA, Oakland,CA, New York,NY, Queens Village,NY, Paramus,NJ, Passaic,NJ, Bergenfield,NJ, Stamford,CT, and Huntington,NY.

Best-Paid Skills and Qualifications for Crime Scene Investigator

What skills does a Crime Scene Investigator need?

Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.

Forensics: Forensics is a scientific tests or techniques used in connection with the detection of crime. Use of analytical and scientific techniques to examine evidence from crimes and prepare legal statements that summarize the results for court cases.

3.

Health Care: Health care or healthcare is the improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people.

Analysis 4.1%
Forensics 2.43%
Health Care 1.32%
Others 92.15%
View as Table
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain skills can make the compensation of a Crime Scene Investigator higher. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data provides you the latest highly compensated skills to help you get a higher pay. For example, if you master Due Diligence, you can get a 11% salary raise. If you are good at Prioritization, your salary will increase by 7%. If you are expert in Consulting, your salary will rise by 6%.
Skill Salary Demand
Due Diligence
$85,963
11%
Prioritization
$82,865
7%
Consulting
$82,091
6%
Cost Control
$82,091
6%
AML
$81,316
5%
Analysis
$80,542
4%
Last Updated on January 01, 2025

View Crime Scene Investigator Salary Trends

For those exploring the changing dynamics of Crime Scene Investigator salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. Our research highlights a notable shift in Crime Scene Investigator compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $89,200 in 2023 to about $89,069 in 2024 (for a comprehensive analysis of Crime Scene Investigator salary trends, click here). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.

Average Annual Salary of Crime Scene Investigator Over Time

2020
$???
2021
$???
2022
$???
2023
$89,200
2024
$89,069
2025
$88,174

Crime Scene Investigator Salary by Year

Year Average Annual Salary
2020 View More
2021 View More
2022 View More
2023 $89,200
2024 $89,069
2025 $88,174

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FAQs Regarding Crime Scene Investigator

1. What is the average salary of a Crime Scene Investigator?

The average annual salary of Crime Scene Investigator is $77,444. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Crime Scene Investigator is $37; the average weekly pay of Crime Scene Investigator is $1,489; the average monthly pay of Crime Scene Investigator is $6,454.

2. What does a Crime Scene Investigator do?

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR conducts investigations of criminal cases. Analyzes collected data or evidence and prepares documentation for legal action. Being a CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR conducts surveillance and interviews witnesses. Interfaces with various law enforcement agencies. Additionally, CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR often requires prior experience working in or closely with law enforecement. May require a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

3. What’s typical Career Path for Crime Scene Investigator?

A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to your short- and long-term career goals. Some follow a linear career path within one field, while others change fields periodically to achieve career or personal goals.

For Crime Scene Investigator, the first career path typically progresses to Fire Captain.

The second career path typically progresses to EMT/Paramedic Supervisor.

Additionally, the third career path typically starts with a Police Sergeant position, and then progresses to Police Lieutenant.

4. Where can a Crime Scene Investigator earn the most?

A Crime Scene Investigator's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Crime Scene Investigator earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Crime Scene Investigator is $97,192.

5. What is the highest pay for Crime Scene Investigator?

The highest pay for Crime Scene Investigator is $92,785.

6. What is the lowest pay for Crime Scene Investigator?

The lowest pay for Crime Scene Investigator is $40,474.