Salary Variances

• Salaries can vary based on the size of the metropolitan area the work is performed. Salaries also vary for local, state and federal agencies.
  
  

Large Metropolitan Area Salary

• Average salaries for crime scene investigators in large cities are between $86,000 and $91,000 per year, because larger cities typically have a large number of cases to be solved.
  
  

State Government Salary

• The average salary for occupations with state agencies is $54,000 a year, and work includes handling cases that local agencies aren't equipped for.
  
  

Federal Government Salary

• The average salary for federal branches in this field is approximately $73,000 per year, and the work involves cases deemed federal crimes.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Responsibilities of a crime scene investigator involve analyzing a crime scene and collecting evidence, while adhering to strict procedures to maintain the quality of the evidence. Evidence is then analyzed by forensic personnel.