10 of the Most Popular Types of Entry Level Detective Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Entry Level Detective jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Entry Level Detective Jobs

• Entry Level Background Investigator

  Salary range: $50,000 - $85,000

  Entry Level Background Investigator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Entry Level Background Investigator jobs pay between $50,000 (25th percentile) and $85,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level Background Investigator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• International Federal Background Investigator

  Salary range: $52,500 - $98,500

  International Federal Background Investigator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for International Federal Background Investigator jobs pay between $52,500 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for International Federal Background Investigator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Crime Scene No Experience

  Salary range: $55,000 - $63,500

  Crime Scene No Experience is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Crime Scene No Experience jobs pay between $55,000 (25th percentile) and $63,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Crime Scene No Experience job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Crime Scene Investigator

  Salary range: $48,500 - $67,500

  Crime scene investigators (CSI) work closely with law enforcement officials to collect and examine evidence at crime scenes. Evidence includes DNA samples (hair, bodily fluids, blood stain patterns), impressions (footprints, fingerprints, tire marks, bite marks), trace evidence (clothing fibers, accelerant, paint, glass), and weapons (guns, bullet casings, gun. powder patterns). Crime scene investigators ensure the evidence is handled and processed according to strict standards to not compromise it in any way. Some crime scene investigators specialize in digital investigations and collect evidence analyzing data in cases of fraud or scams.

• Investigator

  Salary range: $52,500 - $98,500

  Investigator is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Investigator jobs pay between $52,500 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Investigator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Detective

  Salary range: $50,500 - $71,500

  A police detective is a police officer who works to gather evidence and facts for criminal cases. A police detective’s duties include interviewing potential suspects, examining records and apprehending criminals. These police officers will work on specific cases until they are solved or dropped.

• Private Investigator

  Salary range: $44,500 - $57,000

  Private Investigators are professionals who are hired, either by an individual or group, to investigate someone or something of legitimate interest to them. They are sometimes employed by individuals to explore suspicious activity by a family member or someone they know. Attorneys hire Private Investigators to gather information for their cases. Insurance companies often utilize Private Investigators to research claims and suspicions of fraud.

• Retail Crime Investigator

  Salary range: $53,000 - $116,500

  Retail Crime Investigator is a typical job search query Most salaries for Retail Crime Investigator jobs pay between $53,000 (25th percentile) and $116,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Retail Crime Investigator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Security Clearance Background Investigator

  Salary range: $52,500 - $98,500

  Security Clearance Background Investigator is a typical job search query Most salaries for Security Clearance Background Investigator jobs pay between $52,500 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Security Clearance Background Investigator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Police Officer Detective

  Salary range: $48,500 - $74,500

  Police Officer Detective is a common job search query. Most salaries for Police Officer Detective jobs pay between $48,500 (25th percentile) and $74,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Police Officer Detective job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.