What Is the Annual Salary of Computer Forensic Investigators?
As a computer forensic investigator, you analyze corporate or individual computer files to collect evidence of fraud. Typical cyberspace crimes include embezzlement, unauthorized leaks of information, identity theft, child pornography, or distribution of virus and malware. Your mission is to provide law enforcement with logical and substantiated proof of unlawful conduct. You may be asked to testify in court and explain the information that you gathered. The annual income for this profession averages $69,000, according to Indeed.com. Your earnings may vary with your education, experience, location or employer.
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Significance
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This profession is challenging. The job requires searching large amounts of computer data for details that the criminal hid or tried to erase from the computer. The integrity and rigor of your approach must withstand scrutiny in court. The quality of your work can make or break a court decision. Because of the level of responsibilities, this profession pays well.
Range
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A first-year computer forensic investigator may earn around $45,000 per year, according to 2010 information from Indeed.com. Junior investigators follow the guidance of senior forensic experts. With experience and special training to handle interrogation and cross-examination in court, professionals in this space can garner earnings exceeding $130,000.
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Education
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Your education may influence your income. Federal and government employers request a bachelor's of science degree in computer science or in information technology. In addition, you must obtain the Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) designation granted by the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners to be considered by government agencies, according to technology-colleges.info. CCE investigators with a bachelor's degree earn $74,000 of annual income, well above the national average.
Employers
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With the sharp increase of cyberspace fraud reported by the Internet Crime Complaint Center, corporations join law-enforcement agencies in hiring forensic investigators. Organizations that manage several social-network platforms actively monitor accounts that may be owned by individuals perpetrating identity theft. International companies that sell computers and software also hire these professionals to trace criminals launching viruses and malware. These industry segments pay the highest compensation, frequently above $100,000, according to Indeed.com. Federal investigators garner earnings of $80,000 to $110,000 on average.
Location
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Jobs open most frequently in the Washington, D.C., area, in California, or in New York City, according to 2010 data from Indeed.com. Salaries in New York rank the highest at around $100,000 on average. The California Bay Area follows closely behind with earnings averaging $ 90,000. Positions in the Washington, D.C., area or in Virginia typically report to a federal agency and offer compensation of $80,000 to $110,000.
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