The Average Salary of a CSI Investigator
A CSI (Crime Scene Investigator) is a forensic scientist who examines a crime scene and the material connected with it to ascertain the circumstances under which the crime was committed. Investigators have a specialty, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor, such as examining DNA samples or firearms. The starting pay for a forensic scientist is $29,000 as of 2010, and with experience he can make much more.
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National Average Salary
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Data gathered by Payscale indicates the average salary range for forensic scientists is between $29,000 and $50,000 a year as of 2010. Those scientists who report receiving bonuses add between $250 to $5,000 a year to that amount.
Salary by Experience
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The greater the experience an investigator has, the more money he makes, as is seen by the information collected by Payscale. As of 2010, an investigator's salary changes little during the first five years of his career, when it tops out at an average of $41,000 to $46,000 a year. However, with five to nine years in his career, he can expect to earn as much as $50,000 a year, and after 10 years of experience he can make as much as $86,000 a year.
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Education Required
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Most forensic scientists have at least two years of post-secondary education, usually culminating in an associate's degree in applied science, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, though a bachelor's is preferred. A high school student with an interest in entering this field should concentrate on taking as many high-level math courses as he can, recommends the Bureau.
Job Outlook
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Jobs for forensic scientists are expected to grow by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. An increase in technological advances in crime scene investigation will contribute to the job growth as well as a need for competent scientists to help solve crimes.
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References
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