Detectives and Criminal Investigators
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 903 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 68% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Obtain facts or statements from complainants, witnesses, and accused persons and record interviews, using recording device.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Record progress of investigation, maintain informational files on suspects, and submit reports to commanding officer or magistrate to authorize warrants.
AI could do much of this on its own
Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.
AI could do much of this on its own
Prepare charges or responses to charges, or information for court cases, according to formalized procedures.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
Check victims for signs of life, such as breathing and pulse.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Secure deceased body and obtain evidence from it, preventing bystanders from tampering with it prior to medical examiner's arrival.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Obtain summary of incident from officer in charge at crime scene, taking care to avoid disturbing evidence.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Testify in court and present evidence.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Secure persons at scene, keeping witnesses from conversing or leaving the scene before investigators arrive.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Very similar workslightly less pay5,945 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$95,139 vs your $103,800 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Psychology
- Static Strength
- Reaction Time
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Very similar work+23% pay1,203 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 23% more—$127,228 vs your $103,800 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Problem Sensitivity
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Therapy and Counseling
- Administration and Management
- Learning Strategies
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Similar work+2% pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$105,941 vs your $103,800 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Deductive Reasoning
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Psychology
- Static Strength
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
Lawyers
Similar work+106% pay3,912 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 106% more—$213,674 vs your $103,800 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Persuasion
- Negotiation
- Oral Expression
- Writing
- Written Expression
Facilities Managers
Somewhat similar work+29% pay1,181 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 29% more—$133,553 vs your $103,800 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Administration and Management
- Management of Financial Resources
- Building and Construction
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Management of Personnel Resources
Management Analysts
Somewhat similar work+10% pay9,427 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 10% more—$114,128 vs your $103,800 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Economics and Accounting
- Operations Analysis
- Mathematics