NJ Civil Service Navigator

Investigator Jobs in NJ

NJ state investigator jobs across 150+ civil service titles: criminal, welfare, insurance-fraud, and intelligence-analyst positions with salary ranges.

Category: Law Enforcement

Investigator is one of the broadest job families in New Jersey civil service, spanning more than 150 titles across many agencies. They conduct criminal, administrative, and regulatory investigations for the Department of Law and Public Safety, the Treasury, county welfare agencies, insurance-fraud and Medicaid-fraud units, and licensing boards. The family also includes intelligence research analysts, claims and complaint investigators, and welfare and hospital-credit investigators, so entry paths range from clerical-investigative roles to sworn, firearms-qualified positions.

Typical Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree typically required; some titles substitute qualifying experience for education
  • Prior law enforcement, audit, or investigation experience preferred
  • Must pass a background investigation
  • Sworn investigator titles require firearms qualification; analyst titles generally do not

Career Progression

  • Investigator Trainee
  • → Investigator
  • → Senior Investigator
  • → Supervising Investigator
  • → Principal Investigator

Available Investigator positions in New Jersey

New Jersey civil service has 187 investigator titles, paying from $38,112 at entry level to $187,691 at the top step. The 40 highest-paying are below; see all in search.

TitleSalary range
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST 3, OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS$126,854 – $187,691
LIEUTENANT- STATE INVESTIGATOR, DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE$127,549 – $186,099
CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, PAROLE AND SECURED FACILITIES$127,156 – $174,947
SUPERVISING SPECIAL AGENT$116,710 – $172,593
SERGEANT - STATE INVESTIGATOR, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$113,608 – $165,150
ASSISTANT CHIEF INVESTIGATOR SECURED FACILITIES$118,591 – $163,901
DEPUTY CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$163,602 – $163,602
CHIEF INVESTIGATOR LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$110,276 – $162,870
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST 2, OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS$110,276 – $162,870
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR PAROLE AND SECURED FACILITIES$107,152 – $161,214
SENIOR INVESTIGATOR PAROLE AND SECURED FACILITIES$99,274 – $155,513
CHIEF INVESTIGATOR PUBLIC DEFENDER$105,267 – $155,359
LIEUTENANT, STATE INVESTIGATOR, LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY$106,804 – $152,725
SPECIAL AGENT 1$94,713 – $151,323
STATE INVESTIGATOR 4, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$100,498 – $148,187
SUPERVISING INVESTIGATOR LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$95,955 – $141,386
SUPERVISING INVESTIGATOR LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIALIZED CREDENTIALS$95,955 – $141,386
SUPERVISING INVESTIGATOR NJ MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION$95,955 – $141,386
STATE INVESTIGATOR 4, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$95,955 – $141,386
DETECTIVE 2 STATE INVESTIGATOR, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$95,827 – $141,195
SPECIAL AGENT 2$86,543 – $139,798
INVESTIGATOR 3 PUBLIC DEFENDER$91,628 – $134,900
SUPERVISING FIRE INVESTIGATOR$91,628 – $134,900
CLAIMS INVESTIGATOR 4$91,628 – $134,900
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST 1, OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS$91,628 – $134,900
SUPERVISING SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR, STATE LOTTERY$87,507 – $128,719
STATE INVESTIGATOR 3, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$87,507 – $128,719
INVESTIGATOR SECURED FACILITIES$83,056 – $126,970
DETECTIVE 1 STATE INVESTIGATOR, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$84,180 – $123,352
FIRE INVESTIGATOR$83,582 – $122,832
INVESTIGATOR 4 LAW AND PUBLC SAFETY$83,582 – $122,832
INVESTIGATOR 2 NJ MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION$83,582 – $122,832
STATE INVESTIGATOR 3, LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$83,582 – $122,832
INVESTIGATOR 3, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER$83,582 – $122,832
INVESTIGATOR 3$83,582 – $122,832
INVESTIGATOR 3, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER$83,582 – $122,832
CHIEF STATE INVESTIGATOR LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY$87,368 – $122,298
SPECIAL AGENT 3$75,122 – $121,080
INVESTIGATOR 1 TAXATION$79,844 – $117,228
INVESTIGATOR 1 TAXATION BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH$79,844 – $117,228

Which employers actually hire investigator titles

State payroll records show 5,091 people in these titles across 22 state agencies, concentrated at Department of Law & Public Safety. This is where the work exists today, not a list of current openings.

Local employers file their payroll separately and are not counted here, so county, municipal and school-district jobs in these titles are additional to the figures above.

About NJ Civil Service Employment

New Jersey civil service positions offer competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, pension enrollment through PERS or PFRS, and job security through merit-based employment protections. Most positions require passing a competitive examination to be placed on an eligibility list. Promotional opportunities allow advancement through clearly defined career ladders within each job family.

These titles show up at the state level and across counties, municipalities, and school districts alike. Local government hiring follows the same civil service rules and the same title specifications as the state does.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become an Investigator in New Jersey?

To work as an investigator in NJ civil service, you typically need to: Bachelor's degree typically required; some titles substitute qualifying experience for education; Prior law enforcement, audit, or investigation experience preferred; Must pass a background investigation. Most positions require passing a civil service examination and placement on an eligibility list.

What is the salary range for Investigator positions?

Investigator salaries in NJ civil service range from $38,112 at entry level to $187,691 for senior positions. Actual salary depends on the specific title, experience, and step level.

Are Investigator positions available at state and local level?

Yes, similar positions exist at both state and local levels, though job titles and requirements may differ.

Search all Investigator Jobs in NJ specifications | Learn about exams | Browse all specs