I was wondering if anyone knows what the different rankings are for CSIs, and how and when they can be reached. I recall that on one NY episode Mac told Danny that Danny was almost CSI level 2 as he was approaching three years, but I'm not sure if this is how it actually works. Thanks!
I doubt that the shows potray it correctly. I think the rankings would depend on your spcific job and if you're an actual cop or not. Other than that, I have no idea how it works in real life.
In real life it varies by the agency. Factors that come into play are local job market competition to keep experienced examiners, and what the relative market already has in place. Just like any other job. Typically there are 3 - 4 levels of experience (maybe only 2 - 3 for actual "field" people). Those levels can require varying amounts of experience from 2 - 4 years between each grade. In the state of Arizona (USA), there are between 2 - 4 levels of forensic scientist, requiring between 5 - 2 years experience for each grade. Typically a "senior" level is from 6 - 8 years.
education might play a little role - more getting your foot in the door than anything else. You're going to have to have some minimum degree, but rarely does having a master's or higher help with the pay.
For the CSIs, if they are sworn officers, do they also follow the regular police rankings (officer, lieutenant...)?
A sworn officer actually working CSI (personally conducting crime scene investigations) in the US would almost certainly hold the rank of "officer" or "deputy" or at the very most "detective." You might have a sergeant in charge of a team of sworn CSI officers; but I really doubt that there would be any functioning CSIs with the rank of lieutenant or captain.