Crime Scene Investigators (CSI)
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Always wanted to be a CSI like Calleigh or Eric? Or a boss like Horatio? Find out the Income Salary or Wage information of real CSI's in Miami and around the U.S.A. What are their working conditions? How to become a CSI? And more information about the Job Outlook of CSI's.
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Crime Scene Investigators (CSI)
Note: Crime Scene Investigators fit several job descriptions but are most frequently Forensic Science Technicians. Annual and median wages are reported for Forensic Science Technicians.
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Average Annual Wages (All CSI's)* - $25,000 - $50,000
Median Hourly Wage (Forensic Science Technicians): $21.16/hour
Annual Wage Estimate (Forensic Science Technicians)**: $45,705.60/year
Work week: 45+ hours per week
Positions that CSI's are Employed In:
Working Conditions
Learn more about becoming a Crime Scene Investigator
**Since crime scene investigators usually have intense schedules, this estimate assumes a 45 hour workweek, 5 days per week.
Sources:
International Crime Scene Investigators Association - FAQ's
Worldwidelearn.com - Guide to College Majors in Crime Scene Investigation
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Don't forget to take the Salary Survey!
Crime Scene Investigators (CSI)
Note: Crime Scene Investigators fit several job descriptions but are most frequently Forensic Science Technicians. Annual and median wages are reported for Forensic Science Technicians.
Use our Salary Calculator!
Average Annual Wages (All CSI's)* - $25,000 - $50,000
Median Hourly Wage (Forensic Science Technicians): $21.16/hour
Annual Wage Estimate (Forensic Science Technicians)**: $45,705.60/year
Work week: 45+ hours per week
Positions that CSI's are Employed In:
- Crime
Scene Technician
- Crime
Scene Photographer
- Fingerprint
Classification Specialist
- Crime
Lab Assistant
- Medical
Examiner and Investigator
- Latent
Print Examiner/Trainee
- Fire
Inspector/Investigator
- Forensic
Science Specialist
- Property
and Evidence Personnel
- Examine,
test, and analyze tissue samples, chemical substances, physical materials,
and ballistics evidence using recording, measuring, and testing equipment.
- Interpret
laboratory findings and test results to classify substances materials and
other evidence collected at the crime scene collect and preserve criminal
evidence found at the crime scene.
- Collect
evidence and use it to solve cases in a responsible manner.
- Confer
with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronic,
medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts to interpret evidence.
- Reconstruct
crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
- Prepare
reports or presentations of findings and investigate methods or laboratory
techniques.
- Testify
as a witness in trials or hearings.
Working Conditions
- Varies depending on geographical area, climate.
- Work over 45 hours a week.
- Usually work on nights , holidays and weekends.
- Will spend some time each day both in and outside of the office.
- Can at times be stressful or even dangerous, especially when the
job involves confrontation with suspects or with upset clients.
- In some particularly potentially dangerous situations,
investigators must be armed. Investigators who use handguns must have
appropriate licensure. Most of the time, though, carrying a weapon is
unnecessary for an investigator.
- May come in contact with poisonous, flammable, or explosive gases and chemicals as well as radioactive or other hazardous materials that may have immediate or long-term effects on health.
- Often requires an Associates, Bachelors or Masters degree.
- Students may also need to earn state licensure or specialized certification for a particular concentration in their field.
- Many employers prefer applicants who have at least 2 years of specialized training or an associate’s degree in applied science or science-related technology. Because employers’ preferences vary, however, some science technicians have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or forensic science or have taken several science and math courses at 4-year colleges..
- Many certificate programs in crime scene investigation are available.
- There is also a significant amount of on-the-job training under the supervision of
experienced crime scene investigators.
- Depite the relatively low salaries, competition in the investigation field is high.
- The field is an attractive to many recently graduated students as well as to working professionals.
Learn more about becoming a Crime Scene Investigator
- Ask Yahoo - How Can I Become a Crime Scene Investigator?
- Worldwidelearn - Guide to College Majors in Crime Scene Investigation.
- International Crime Scene Investigators Association - How to Become a CSI.
**Since crime scene investigators usually have intense schedules, this estimate assumes a 45 hour workweek, 5 days per week.
Sources:
International Crime Scene Investigators Association - FAQ's
Worldwidelearn.com - Guide to College Majors in Crime Scene Investigation
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Don't forget to take the Salary Survey!