Police Identification and Records Officers Career, Salary and Skills
Police Identification and Records Officers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $93,790 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 114,430. Wage data is published for 340 locations.
Occupation description
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
O*NET code
33-3021.02
Job zone
3
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$93,790
Hourly median
$45.09
Employment
114,430
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Writing | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- Photograph crime or accident scenes for evidence records.
- Maintain records of evidence and write and review reports.
- Submit evidence to supervisors, crime labs, or court officials for legal proceedings.
- Testify in court and present evidence.
- Look for trace evidence, such as fingerprints, hairs, fibers, or shoe impressions, using alternative light sources when necessary.
- Dust selected areas of crime scene and lift latent fingerprints, adhering to proper preservation procedures.
- Analyze and process evidence at crime scenes, during autopsies, or in the laboratory, wearing protective equipment and using powders and chemicals.
- Package, store and retrieve evidence.
Technology
- Adobe Photoshop
- Computer aided composite drawing software
- Database software
- DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
- DeChant Consulting Services iWitness
- DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
- Digital Image Management Solutions Crime Scene
- Eos Systems PhotoModeler
- Image enhancement software
- Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Police Identification and Records Officers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in TXMedian $90,510 · Employment 18,870
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in CAMedian $124,840 · Employment 12,610
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in NYMedian $101,240 · Employment 9,600
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in New York, NYMedian $106,440 · Employment 7,580
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in FLMedian $77,060 · Employment 6,440
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in AZMedian $102,340 · Employment 5,250
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in GAMedian $65,430 · Employment 5,070
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $156,750 · Employment 4,830
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in PAMedian $97,580 · Employment 3,370
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in NCMedian $63,280 · Employment 3,360
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in ILMedian $91,190 · Employment 3,270
- Police Identification and Records Officers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $127,890 · Employment 3,240
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.