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Occupation · SOC 33-3021

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

There are 114,430 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $93,790 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Protective ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
114,430
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$93,790
Median pay a year
Middle half: $69,330–$120,520
7,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +0.2%
7
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 288 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $106,440 · LCA filings 07,580$106,4400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $156,750 · LCA filings 04,830$156,7500
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $127,890 · LCA filings 03,240$127,8900
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $69,900 · LCA filings 03,070$69,9000
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $124,840 · LCA filings 02,990$124,8400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $102,260 · LCA filings 12,290$102,2601
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $97,580 · LCA filings 02,160$97,5800
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $99,080 · LCA filings 22,110$99,0802
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $86,390 · LCA filings 01,870$86,3900
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $86,110 · LCA filings 01,830$86,1100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 280 · LCA filings 0$158,6402800
Brunswick–St. Simons, GAEmployment 240 · LCA filings 0$158,0602400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 4,830 · LCA filings 0$156,7504,8300
Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$153,570700
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 350 · LCA filings 0$140,7503500

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 2,110212,110
Rochester, NYEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 45021450
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 33021330
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 2,290112,290
Buffalo–Cheektowaga, NYEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 85011850

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $90,875 · Level III $113,630 · Level IV $136,406$68,099$90,875$113,630$136,406
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $122,138 · Level III $146,661 · Level IV $171,184$97,614$122,138$146,661$171,184
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $108,472 · Level III $126,402 · Level IV $144,352$90,522$108,472$126,402$144,352
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $64,147 · Level III $78,021 · Level IV $91,874$50,294$64,147$78,021$91,874
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $104,166 · Level III $121,056 · Level IV $137,925$87,298$104,166$121,056$137,925
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $83,075 · Level III $103,022 · Level IV $122,970$63,128$83,075$103,022$122,970
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $95,202 · Level III $109,990 · Level IV $124,800$80,392$95,202$109,990$124,800
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $87,402 · Level III $109,179 · Level IV $130,936$65,645$87,402$109,179$130,936
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $82,264 · Level III $104,582 · Level IV $126,880$59,966$82,264$104,582$126,880
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $77,667 · Level III $99,632 · Level IV $121,597$55,702$77,667$99,632$121,597
Rochester, NYLevel II $84,386 · Level III $99,528 · Level IV $114,670$69,243$84,386$99,528$114,670
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $80,350 · Level III $96,034 · Level IV $111,738$64,646$80,350$96,034$111,738
Buffalo–Cheektowaga, NYLevel II $86,840 · Level III $101,109 · Level IV $115,398$72,550$86,840$101,109$115,398

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCIP 43.01OPT · up to 12 months800OPT · up to 12 months
Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.04Varies by program343Varies by program
CriminologyCIP 45.04OPT · up to 12 months174OPT · up to 12 months

See Detectives and Criminal Investigators in every metro area

All 288 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Protective Service

Security GuardsPolice and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersLifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersCorrectional Officers and JailersFirefightersProtective Service Workers, All OtherCrossing Guards and FlaggersSchool Bus Monitors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology