Learn how to become a detective in Maryland, including the requirements for eligibility, training and education. Find out all you need to know about this career, including the salary outlook and job growth.

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Should I Become a Detective in Maryland?

Detectives and criminal investigators collect evidence from crime scenes and document them for further investigations. They also respond to emergency calls and patrol assigned areas, in addition to keeping an eye on the activities of suspects and preparing cases. If this sounds like something up your alley, you might want to consider a career as a detective in Maryland.

The following table highlights the basics of this career.

  • Education Required
  • Training
  • Licenses/Certifications
  • Key Skills
  • Annual Mean Salary (2019)-National
  • Job Outlook (2018-28)
  • Annual Mean Salary (2019)-Maryland
  • High School Diploma or a College Degree
  • Required at a Police Training Academy
  • Required
  • Empathy, Leadership Skills, Perceptiveness, Physical Stamina, Communication Skills, Good Judgment Skills
  • $86,030 (Detectives and Criminal Investigators)
  • 5%
  • $102,170 (Detectives and Criminal Investigators)

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook for a Detective in Maryland

Maryland offers a lucrative salary to its Detectives and Criminal Investigators, much higher than the national average. Even though the projected growth in this occupation, as per O*Net Online, for the state of Maryland is -1%, demand for detectives is not expected to die out any time soon.

Steps to Become a Detective in Maryland

Get a High School Diploma

This is the minimum level of education required to enter this field of law enforcement. More often than not, though, students will be required to have additional educational credentials.

Get a College Education

Students are advised to get at least an associate’s degree, if not a bachelor’s degree. The ideal major to go for would be criminal justice, with coursework in criminal investigations, police services, juvenile justice, criminal procedures etc.

Enroll in a Training Academy

This training is mandatory for anyone who wants to become a police detective or a criminal investigator and can be around 6 months to 2 years long, depending on the location of your job. Even though the exact specifications of this training would be different in different jurisdictions, the overall subject matter would be nearly the same.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Detective in Maryland?

The amount of time it takes to become a detective in Maryland would vary according to the education path you choose and the specifications of your job. The education process can take 2-4 years, the application process would take several months, and the training academy would also be at least 6 months long.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Detective in Maryland?

In order to become a detective in Maryland, students will have to meet the following requirements. Candidates must be:

  • US citizens
  • Have at least a high school diploma
  • Have a valid driver’s license for the state of Maryland
  • Have no felony convictions or prior drug abuse charges
  • At least 20 years 9 months old at the time of hire (for Baltimore, MD)

How Much Does a Detective Earn in Maryland?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Maryland made an annual mean wage of $102,170 in 2019. This is significantly higher than the national mean wage of $86,030. The salary potential would vary according to the location and industry of employment.