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Police Detective Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Bastrop (TX)

Police Detective

Bastrop, TX · On-site

$33.03/hr

... as a Police Detective. The City of Bastrop Police Department is a cohesive, collaborative team of professionals dedicated to providing our community exceptional public service and possess a ...

Bastrop

Police Detective

Bastrop, TX · On-site

$33.03/hr

... as a Police Detective . The City of Bastrop Police Department is a cohesive, collaborative team of professionals dedicated to providing our community exceptional public service and possess a ...

City of Liberal, KS

Police Detective

Liberal, KS · On-site

Police Detective Apply at: This is a non-exempt position with limited supervisory responsibilities, but may require supervisory skills and management of personnel that are assigned operations of ...

City of Liberal, KS

Police Detective

Liberal, KS · On-site

Police Detective Apply at: This is a non-exempt position with limited supervisory responsibilities, but may require supervisory skills and management of personnel that are assigned operations of ...

City of Hobbs

POLICE DETECTIVE

Hobbs, NM

$38.52 - $51.62/hr

Description Performs technical law enforcement work as a non-uniformed police officer in the investigation of crime and the detection and prevention of violations of the law. Essential Duties Regular ...

Chatham County Government

Detective

Savannah, GA

$56K/yr

Look no further than the Chatham County Police Department to become our next Detective. With a starting annual salary of $56,947 (excluding overtime), you can rest assured that your hard work will be ...

City of Asheville, NC

Police Officer

Asheville, NC · On-site

$24.55 - $36.83/hr

Senior Police Officer II / Detective II: Police Detective: $56,298.58 - $84,447.74 * Master Police Officer I / Master Police Officer I: $59,113.34 - $88,670.14 * Master Police Officer II / Master ...

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$29K

$68.6K

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How much do police detective jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for police detective in the United States is $68,582.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Police Detective do?

A Police Detective is a law enforcement professional responsible for investigating crimes, gathering evidence, and solving cases. They often interview witnesses and suspects, analyze crime scenes, and collaborate with other officers and agencies. Detectives typically specialize in specific types of crimes, such as homicide, robbery, or fraud. Their work helps ensure that perpetrators are identified and brought to justice, contributing to community safety.

What is the highest paid detective job?

The highest paid detective roles are often in federal agencies such as FBI Special Agents or DEA agents, who typically earn higher salaries due to specialized training, security clearances, and complex investigations. These positions may also include additional benefits, overtime, and opportunities for advancement, contributing to higher overall compensation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Police Detective, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Police Detective, you need strong investigative skills, analytical thinking, attention to detail, and typically a background in law enforcement with relevant training or certification. Familiarity with case management systems, forensic technologies, and evidence handling protocols is essential. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and ethical judgment make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively solving cases, gathering reliable evidence, and ensuring justice is served with integrity.

What Do Police Detectives Do?

Police detectives gather evidence and examine crime scenes to discover what happened in criminal cases. As a police detective, you are among the first law enforcement officials to arrive at the scene of the crime. You look for forensic evidence and interview witnesses. Some police detectives may be general detectives, working on various types of crimes, while others are assigned to specialized departments that focus on specific kinds of crimes, such as drug dealing, financial crimes, or violent crimes. They work on their assigned cases until they are solved or set aside as inconclusive with insufficient evidence.

What are some common challenges police detectives face when working on complex investigations?

Police detectives often encounter challenges such as managing large volumes of evidence, coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies, and maintaining clear communication with victims and witnesses. Another frequent difficulty is balancing the need for thorough investigation with the pressure to quickly solve cases. Additionally, detectives must stay up-to-date with evolving investigative techniques and technology while working within legal and ethical boundaries.

Can cops do detective work?

Police detectives are law enforcement officers who conduct investigations into crimes, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and solve cases. They typically have experience as patrol officers before specializing in detective work and may require specialized training or certifications. Detective work often involves working in an office or on the scene of a crime, sometimes requiring irregular hours.

Is it hard to become a police detective?

Becoming a police detective typically requires first serving as a police officer, which involves meeting minimum age, education, and background requirements, and passing physical and written exams. Candidates often need several years of law enforcement experience, strong investigative skills, and sometimes specialized training or certifications before qualifying for detective roles.

How does a police become a detective?

To become a police detective, officers typically need to have several years of experience as a patrol officer, demonstrate strong investigative skills, and often pass written exams or assessments. Many departments require candidates to complete specialized training or coursework and to be promoted through ranks based on performance and seniority.
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What cities are hiring for Police Detective jobs? Cities with the most Police Detective job openings:
What states have the most Police Detective jobs? States with the most job openings for Police Detective jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Police Detective jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Police Detective jobs are:
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Police Detective jobs near you
Infographic showing various Police Detective job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 19% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,582 per year, or $33 per hour.

Police Detective

Austin Independent School District

Austin, TX • On-site

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 11 days ago

Austin Independent School District rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

253rd of 619 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

Position Type:
6 - Police and Safety/Detective
Date Posted:
1/23/2026
Location:
District Police
Please click the link below on the bottom right for the job description.
COMPENSATION:
Duty Days: 260
Salary Range: Compensation Manual
HELPFUL INFORMATION:
Social Security
Teacher Retirement
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Employee Discount Program
Closing until filled
The Austin Independent School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Attachment(s):
  • Police Detective

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About Austin Independent School District

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Austin Independent School District (AISD) is a government educational institution based in Austin, Texas, United States. Operating within the education sector, AISD's primary service entails providing public education from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The district was established over 130 years ago, in 1881. At its heart, AISD holds a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity, striving to offer high-quality education to all students regardless of their socio-economic background. Its mission is to promote innovative and equitable education that empowers every student to realize their full potential. AISD has made notable strides in its endeavors, boasting numerous achievements such as a 90 percent graduation rate in 2017-18, higher than both the state and national average.

Industry

Elementary and secondary schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Austin, TX, US

Year founded

1881

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