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Job outlook for investigative analysts in the United States
Are investigative analyst jobs in demand?
Investigative analyst job and salary trends over time
Investigative analyst jobs over time
Investigative analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,393 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,369 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,364 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,336 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,360 | 0.00% |
Average investigative analyst salary over time
Investigative analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $125,975 | $60.57 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $120,513 | $57.94 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $118,701 | $57.07 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $115,876 | $55.71 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $113,195 | $54.42 | +1.2% |
Investigative analyst jobs by state
Most common states for investigative analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 209 | 30% |
| 2 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 530 | 12% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 205 | 11% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 854 | 10% |
| 5 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 590 | 10% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 98 | 10% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 550 | 9% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 70 | 9% |
| 9 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 961 | 8% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 424 | 8% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 909 | 7% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 303 | 7% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 229 | 7% |
| 14 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 97 | 7% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 69 | 7% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 474 | 6% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 425 | 6% |
| 18 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 411 | 6% |
| 19 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 379 | 6% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 74 | 6% |
Most common cities for investigative analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brea | 1 | 2% | $122,095 |
| 2 | Orland Park | 1 | 2% | $122,211 |
| 3 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $116,516 |
| 4 | Jersey City | 2 | 1% | $114,684 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $120,935 |
| 6 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $141,578 |
| 7 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $122,542 |
| 8 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $122,220 |
| 9 | Saint Petersburg | 1 | 0% | $111,049 |
Investigative Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of investigative analyst experts
University of Georgia
Governors State University
Murray State University
Georgia Southern University
Dr. Latarcia Barnes PhD
Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, Associate ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to an Investigative Analyst?
Dr. Latarcia Barnes PhD: Federal law enforcement is a great profession to enter. There is retirement after 20 years, great career advancement, and great benefits
What will help Investigative Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Latarcia Barnes PhD: All skills can be beneficial in the criminal justice field because agencies are expanding job skills and qualifications to meet the changing needs of the world in relation to criminal justice. Many employed in this field hold degrees other than criminal justice. Federal criminal justice agencies are recruiting other majors because of those skill sets they possess. For example, accountants are being recruited for forensic accounting. Therefore with criminal justice majors, it is beneficial to make oneself more marketable by having a minor in another discipline.
What general advice would you give to an Investigative Analyst?
Todd Krohn: I think internship experience prior to applying maximizes your salary potential, as well as compiling a list of relevant volunteer experiences, and keeping a clean record. Every agency is going to run background checks, and increasingly many are running credit checks as well. A clean record going in definitely makes you a more marketable candidate.
What will help Investigative Analysts increase their earning potential?
Todd Krohn: I would definitely think about doing an internship before you graduate. For many students going into law enforcement or probation and parole, getting an internship while still in school could potentially lead to your first job offer. For those going into the legal world of prosecution or defense, internships in those worlds before law school will help you confirm those are the areas you want to study. Basically, any CJ graduate would benefit from doing an internship, dependent upon the area of the CJ system they are thinking about working in. While most of these are going to be unpaid in the CJ system, the benefits they carry later more than pay off the experience.
Dr. Janet Brewer
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & SociologyGovernors State University
Criminal Justice And Corrections
What general advice would you give to an Investigative Analyst?
Dr. Janet Brewer: Market yourself as someone who can increase revenue or decrease workload for that entity. Use your school's alumni network to its fullest.
What Investigative Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alaina Steele: People go into the criminal justice field for many different reasons, so be proactive in making sure your employer will provide a suitable work environment and the right kinds of support/development for you to be the type of criminal justice professional you want to be. When applying for jobs, remember that you are interviewing agencies at the same time they are interviewing you. Ask questions that provide you with insight on the things you're looking for in an employer. If possible, talk to people who work or have worked there to find out what they love(d) about their job and colleagues and what they would change. Search online for what an agency's clients or the people who live in the communities they serve have to say about their experiences and recent encounters with the criminal justice professionals at that agency. Take the time to consider if what you find in your research is something that aligns with your personal values and career goals.
Logan Somers Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorGeorgia Southern University
Criminal Justice and Criminology Department
What skills stand out on Investigative Analyst resumes?
Logan Somers Ph.D.: Skills and experiences that stand out on Law Enforcement Officer resumes are not too dissimilar from desirable qualities in other industries. First, even though the vast majority of police departments do not have an education requirement beyond high school, most recruits entering the academy do have at least some college experience. Therefore, having an associate's or bachelor's degree will make you competitive. Further, policing in today's society requires officers to be elite communicators, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers. Any prior work experience that can be used to demonstrate how you performed those skills under pressure should be highlighted. Lastly, any prior community service and or mentoring should be included. Having these experiences displays your commitment to improving your community and bettering the lives of those around you.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Investigative Analysts?
Logan Somers Ph.D.: A significant portion of an officer's day can often be spent filling out paperwork. Every stop, citation, warrant, arrest, or use of force incident typically requires forms that need to be filled out and sent to supervisors for review. This makes the ability to write proficiently and provide a descriptive narrative of events crucial for day-to-day police work.