How much does a first-line supervisors of police and detective make?

The median pay is $50.98 per hour — roughly $106,000 a year, with the real range running from about $30.46/hr (10th percentile) to $79.38/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a first-line supervisors of police and detective?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a first-line supervisors of police and detective actually do all day?

Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations. Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates. Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.

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First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

What it pays
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn a median of $50.98/hr — about $106,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $30.46/hr; the top 10% earn $79.38/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.
Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates.
Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.
Investigate and resolve personnel problems within organization and charges of misconduct against staff.
Explain police operations to subordinates to assist them in performing their job duties.
Maintain logs, prepare reports, and direct the preparation, handling, and maintenance of departmental records.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; you're around people constantly; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of first-line supervisors of police and detectives are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are take-charge, organized and detail-focused and people-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a first-line supervisors of police and detective make?: The median pay is $50.98 per hour — roughly $106,000 a year, with the real range running from about $30.46/hr (10th percentile) to $79.38/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a first-line supervisors of police and detective?: The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).
What does a first-line supervisors of police and detective actually do all day?: Supervise and coordinate the investigation of criminal cases, offering guidance and expertise to investigators, and ensuring that procedures are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations. Prepare work schedules and assign duties to subordinates. Direct collection, preparation, and handling of evidence and personal property of prisoners.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.