Detectives and Criminal Investigators - Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of Federal, State, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $73,010 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $35.10. The average wage in New Mexico is below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $32.91 and most workers in this occupation earn between $24.05 and $37.33 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $73,010 | ||
| National Hourly | $35.10 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $50,031 | $68,443 | $77,648 |
| Statewide Hourly | $24.05 | $32.91 | $37.33 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | $58,892 | $91,177 | $107,320 |
| Hourly | $28.31 | $43.84 | $51.60 |
| Farmington Annual | $42,000 | $51,211 | $55,816 |
| Hourly | $20.19 | $24.62 | $26.83 |
| Las Cruces Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | $58,892 | $91,177 | $107,320 |
| Hourly | $28.31 | $43.84 | $51.60 |
| Eastern Annual | $40,172 | $60,028 | $69,955 |
| Hourly | $19.31 | $28.86 | $33.63 |
| Northern Annual | $39,543 | $50,332 | $55,726 |
| Hourly | $19.01 | $24.20 | $26.79 |
| Southwestern Annual | $54,518 | $68,673 | $75,750 |
| Hourly | $26.21 | $33.02 | $36.42 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
Click on the career cluster icon to see a plan of study that will help you complete your Next Step Plan. The Career Plan of Study is a Microsoft Excel document. Many occupations will fit into several career clusters.
New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 1,340 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will have no growth by about 24 percent and an estmated 1,670 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is growing about average. Job opportunities are good or favorable, as there should be about 32 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 1,340 | 1,670 | 2.18% | 32 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | 160 | 200 | 2.47% | 4 |
| Farmington | 50 | 60 | 3.30% | 2 |
| Las Cruces | - | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe | - | - | - | - |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | 160 | 200 | 2.47% | 4 |
| Eastern | 160 | 200 | 2.24% | 4 |
| Northern | 80 | 90 | 1.88% | 2 |
| Southwestern | 1,220 | 1,450 | 1.76% | 23 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Police Detectives usually need High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate).
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 45% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 21% |
| Some College Courses | 16% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) | 11% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 7% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Clovis Community College | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.clovis.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Criminal Justice/Police Science | |
| + Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell | ||
| Website:http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Criminal Justice/Police Science | |
| + Mesalands Community College | ||
| Website:http://www.mesalands.edu | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Criminal Justice/Police Science | |
| + San Juan College | ||
| Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Criminal Justice/Police Science | |
| + San Juan College - East | ||
| Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/pages/1742.asp | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Criminal Justice/Police Science | |
| + San Juan College - West | ||
| Website:http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/pages/1740.asp | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Criminal Justice/Police Science | |
| + Western New Mexico University | ||
| Website:http://www.wnmu.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Criminal Justice/Police Science | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
| License Title | Contact | Year | Number issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement Officer | New Mexico Department of Public Safey - Training and Recruiting 4491 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505) 582-9251 http://www.dps.nm.org/training/index.php | 2010 | 252 |
| Private Investigator | Private Investigations Advisory Board 2550 Cerrillos Road, Second Floor , Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 547-4664 www.rld.state.nm.us/PrivateInvestigations/index.html | 2010 | 318 |
Other available certificates or credentials may also be desirable. Additional local licenses or permits may be required, and individual businesses may have specific employment requirements. Licensing information is collected through a variety of New Mexico-based resources and does NOT include federal licensing requirements.
No WorkKeys scores are available for this particular occupation.
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
- Accident Investigator
- Agent
- Agriculture Specialist
- Air Marshal
- Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent
- Border Police
- CIA Agent (Central Intelligence Agency Agent)
- Canine Enforcement Officer (K-9 Enforcement Officer)
- Child Support Officer
- City Detective
- Counter Intelligence Agent
- Crime Analyst
- Crime Investigator Special Agent
- Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)
- Crime Scene Evidence Technician
- Crime Scene Examiner
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
- Crime Scene Specialist
- Crime Scene Technician
- Criminal Investigator
- Criminal Profiler
- Customs Import Specialist
- Customs Inspector
- Customs Officer
- Customs Port Director
- Customs and Border Protection Inspector (CBPI)
- Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBPO)
- Deputy Sheriff
- Deputy United States Marshal
- Detective
- Detective Sergeant
- Detective Supervisor
- Detective, Narcotics and/or Vice
- Drug Enforcement Agent
- Drug Inspector
- Evidence Technician
- FBI Investigator (Federal Bureau of Investigation Investigator)
- FBI Sharpshooter (Federal Bureau of Investigation Sharpshooter)
- FBI Special Agent (Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent)
- Field Identification Specialist
- Fingerprint Classifier
- Forensic Investigator
- Forensic Sergeant
- Forensic Specialist
- Fraud Analyst
- Homicide Detective
- Homicide Investigator
- Identification Officer
- Identification Technician
- Immigration Inspector
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent (ICE Special Agent)
- Import Specialist
- Inspector
- Inspector, Patrol
- Inspector, Police
- Inspector, Postal
- Intelligence Officer
- Investigation Officer
- Investigative Analyst
- Investigator
- Investigator, Internal Affairs
- Investigator, Vice
- Latent Fingerprint Examiner
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Narcotics Agent
- Narcotics Detective
- Narcotics Investigator
- Opener-Verifier-Packer, Customs
- Police Detective
- Police Evidence Technician
- Police Investigator
- Police Officer
- Police Photographer
- Secret Service Agent
- Sex Crimes Detective
- Sheriff's Detective
- Special Agent
- Special Agent, Customs
- Spy
- State Trooper
- Station Detective
- US Customs and Border Protection Officer (US CBPO)
- Undercover Cop
- Unemployment Examiner
- Unemployment Inspector
- United States Marshal (US Marshal)