What would people do or say when asked what we do for a living…or for our passion… when we replied that, “We are in the business of murder”?? I can see it now… Little old ladies would run the other way. College professors would immediately have a puzzled look and little kids would scream! Yikes! We’re only telling the truth in the most concise way. ‘No big deal…. Or is it? Is it our job to make them feel comfortable and do our jobs too? No! However, it takes so long to explain precisely what we do…no matter what our titles, job tasks, salaries…or lack of salaries (‘can’t forget that one!) Those who have no real salaries have earned their reservations in heaven right next to good people like Jennifer Hawke Petit, Michaela and Hayley Petit, Caylee Anthony, Roberta Murphy, Gail Palmgen, Kathleen Savio, Natalee Holloway… I could go on and on….

However, my point is that murder is a real business for some. (No, I’m not referring to the near and dear to our hearts, Alfred Hitchcock…) There are a whole list of “players.” Let’s examine a little closer and decide what it tells us…. Can we judge the importance of a profession by the amount of money they are paid? If this was a common sense world, yes. But, we know it’s frequently not a common sense anything!

[Sources: e-How.com-Money; Payscale.com; Indeed.com; jobsdescriptionsguide.com]
National Average Annual Salaries (Depending upon Geographic Location and Specific Industry)
Public Defenders: (As of December 9, 2011)
$41,000 to $49,000; ‘Lowest State of Pennsylvania; State of California – Range of $56,000 to $102,000 annually. This profession is projected 13% lower than all positions to 2018;

Prosecuting Attorneys: National Average is $129,440; Low end with just one year’s experience is $54,130 annually. Those with 20 years experience – $165,470 annually.
***Prosecutors working in the Petroleum/Coal industry salary = $$208,410 annually;

*** Prosecutors working in the Tobacco industry salary = $193,020 annually;

*** Prosecutors working in the Electronic Shopping or Mall Order industries: salary = $182,130 annually;

Crime Victim Advocates – (Court Based or Non- Profit)

***$45, 0000 annually which is 38% lower than the average of all job postings!

Private Investigators (As of May 2009) Average Hourly wage is $22.66; Average annual wage = $47,130; Investigators with one year of experience = $25,602 annually; Investigators with 20+ years of experience –

*** Range = $37,443 to $70,080 annually;
***Private Investigators working in the Management, Scientific and Consulting Industries the most well compensated: Average = $90,030 annually;
***Private Investigators in the Natural Gas Distribution Industry earn $83,080 annually; ***Private Investigators in the Computer System Design Industry earn $79,380 annually; ***Private Investigators in the Telecommunications Industry earn $74,800 annually; The highest paid private investigator employed by a state is Virginia at $$68,420 annually;
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics…

Police Detectives earn a range of $34,402 to $94,171 annually;

Homicide Detectives earn a median salary of $62,110 nationally; In a 2010 Survey of 435 detectives a salary range of $44,613 to $81,796 was reported;Detectives in the Federal System earn an average of $75,390 annually; Detectives in State Government earn an average of $54,940 annually; Detectives in Local Government earn an average of $61,230 annually;

Top Five Highest Paid Cities – Detective Salaries as of an August 2010 Survey) (Includes Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and St. Louis 😉

***Salary Range on Average was $68,200 to 107,304 annually;

Domestic Violence /Intimate Partner Homicide- Director of Non-Profit:

***Executive Director position earns an average of $48,155 annually;

***Program Manager Non– Profit position earns an average of $42,907annually;

***Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) earns an average of $39,996 annually;

***Masters of Social Work (MSW) earns an average of $33,384 annually;

Medical Examiners: (As of February 2011)

***California Average is $51,000; Nationally is $45,000; Average Advertised salary is $102,044- Working as a law enforcement primary ME versus a technician under supervision. A medical examiner earns a medical degree followed by a 3rd or 4th year post graduate program. After graduating medical school, a residency of 3 to 8 years in pathology is required followed by a licensing board examination.

Coroners: Data Varies: Range = $12,164 to $107.916; ‘Other sources report $19,574 to $84,849; According to the National Average Salary Board (July 2011) Coroners earn $97,044 annually.

A coroner is an elected or appointed official who has no background in medical or forensic science. A coroner is a politician who wins enough votes to become the incumbent. He can be a sheriff, a dentist, a baker, or local pizza shop owner. He will have little or no knowledge of forensic investigation.

During the past quarter century, the rules of the office of the coroner have evolved such that many jurisdictions today require the coroner to be a licensed medical doctor. He may be an internist, a gynecologist, or dermatologist but does not necessarily have to be a pathologist or a forensic pathologist. He may not have the qualifications to perform the duties of a coroner. For this reason, the medical examiner system has evolved.

A medical examiner (ME) is a doctor of medicine who is licensed to practice medicine. Most ME’s are trained in pathology, particularly forensic pathology. This means they have specialized training in pathology and training and experience in forensics. A forensic pathologist is a clinical pathologist who has special training in the field of forensics. He is usually the person in charge of a crime lab. He is an overseer of all aspects of death and criminal injury. The primary duty of the forensic pathologist is to perform forensic autopsies, which are needed to determine the cause and manner of death.

Many rural areas, where county, state, or federal funding is minimal, still have the coroner system today. The coroner in these jurisdictions is an elected public servant in charge of investigating a death. The reason for this trend is that these developing areas just do not have a big enough population to justify the presence of a highly trained forensic pathologist as a medical examiner. Under these circumstances, a coroner must outsource a forensic autopsy when needed.

With advancing technology, the coroner system will eventually be obsolete leaving the medical examiner system all by itself. Highly educated individuals with special knowledge of laboratory testing and forensic autopsies will be required to fill the position of the office of the medical examiner.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/572455

***True Crime Authors: No Specific Data; However, the generic title of “Author” yields the following salary range annually – $13,922 to $80,149 annually. [LJ- That’s a “Grand Canyon” difference, sister!]

Marketing -Public Relations Director The median expected salary for a typical Marketing Director in the United States is $134,366. Directs and oversees an organization’s marketing policies, objectives, and initiatives. Conducts market research and develops marketing plans for specific products, services, or business lines. Reviews changes to the marketplace and industry and adjusts marketing plan accordingly. Requires a bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of experience in the field. Familiar with a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures. Relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Leads and directs the work of others. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. Typically reports to top management. [LJ—Well, not the one’s I know!!]

Do you see the pattern here? What’s wrong with this picture? All of the important human service; hands on, “let’s save a life work” is more or less a pittance compared to gas, coal, tobacco and technology. Question: Is there life on Mars? (I know scientist recently proved there is water… If so, how do I sign up?)
Donna/ “Ladyjustice” Reporting