Crime Scene Investigator Salary

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A crime scene investigators salary depends heavily on their educational background, as well as the company or agency in which they work for. According to the BLS, jobs for crime scene investigators are expected to grow faster than average. Most new graduates find employment at the local government level, however, higher salaries are always found at the federal level, working for agencies such as the FBI. CSI’s working for their local government can expect to be paid near the mean annual average of $30,000-$50,000 per year. CSI’s working for the federal government make a significant amount more, averaging over $90,000 per year. But who you work for isn’t the only thing that will affect a crime scene investigators salary. Other factors include:

  • Educational degree obtained
  • Amount of previous on-the-job training
  • Area of interest, subspecialties
  • Geographical location
  • Hours worked per week

Many times, crime scene investigators work normal Monday through Friday, 40-hour work weeks. However, many times they are ‘on-call’ and must be available 24 hours a day. Generally, if a crime scene investigator works in an area of the country where there are high crime rates, the chances he/she will have to work longer hours, overtime, weekends and holidays greatly increases. And so does the dollar amount in his or her paycheck. When you’re initially getting hired for a position, employers want to know what form of education and training you’ve received previously. Applicants who have done internships and apprenticeships, and have graduated at a graduate level or above have a better chance of getting into a higher position, or has the chance for advancement. Both of these things come with more money.

Annual Salaries by State

Below is a list of the average median salary, according to the BLS, for each State as of 2009.

Alabama $54,340
Alaska $74,690
Arizona $57,230
Arkansas $51,400
California $80,140
Colorado $72,650
Connecticut $72,750
Delaware $77,960
D.C. $94,620
Florida $63,960
Georgia $53,530
Hawaii $76,640
Idaho $57,260
Illinois $76,360
Indiana $53,350
Iowa $62,890
Kansas $54,780
Kentucky $56,660
Louisiana $51,890
Maine $55,040
Maryland $77,910
Massachusetts $69,980
Michigan $69,970
Minnesota $65,450
Mississippi $47,080
Missouri $54,210
Montana $61,430
Nebraska $58,980
Nevada $70,310
New Hampshire $63,980
New Jersey $85,930
New Mexico $54,650
New York $68,530
North Carolina $48,250
North Dakota $59,160
Ohio $64,220
Oklahoma $51,890
Oregon $68,400
Pennsylvania $68,890
Rhode Island $68,000
South Carolina $51,400
South Dakota $57,280
Tennessee $54,180
Texas $58,720
Utah $62,410
Vermont $62,130
Virginia $77,460
Washington $76,330
West Virginia $49,220
Wisconsin $65,540
Wyoming $61,470