15 Best-Paying Criminal Justice Jobs
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Criminal justice can be rewarding for people from all walks of life. Criminal justice careers offer hardworking individuals the opportunity to make a difference in the community, whether they become police officers, attorneys, judges or even accountants. Many of these jobs pay between $50,000 and $125,000 and offer great benefits.
For many, criminal justice describes the genre of podcasts they listen to or shows they watch on TV. However, when it comes to this field, there are many more moving parts than the police who investigate crimes and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
Criminal justice can be a rewarding career for people committed to protecting our communities.?
Note: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is the source of information for many of the job duties, descriptions and salary figures in this article. As of January 2022, data is presumed accurate.
1. Judges and Hearing Officers
For many attorneys, judgeships and hearing officer roles are among the highest honors they can earn during their legal career. And in the criminal justice system, a judge is the highest-earning position on the list.
Judges and hearing officers oversee the legal process in the courtroom. This typically involves presiding over trials and hearings for cases. On any day, a judge or hearing officer might do the following:
Most judges and hearing officers work for the government at the city, county, state or federal level. They usually have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and have completed additional training.?
Salary: Because of these requirements, judges and hearing officers earn a median salary of $102,550, making it the highest-paying criminal justice job on this list.
2. Lawyers
Lawyers and attorneys fill a vital need in society, defending people, government agencies and businesses in criminal and civil cases. While many attorney jobs do not focus on criminal justice, lawyers in this sector are often the most visible attorney.?
Attorneys involved with the criminal justice system may work as defense attorneys or prosecutors. A defense lawyer’s typical day might involve the following tasks:
Prosecutors do many of the above tasks but on behalf of the government instead of a client. In addition, all lawyers must have a law degree and pass a state bar exam.?
Salary: This is one of the best-paying criminal justice jobs available. Depending on location, employer and experience, lawyers earn a median annual wage of $127,990.
3. FBI Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are among the most driven, talented law enforcement officers in the United States. Admission to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, is highly selective, but a rewarding career awaits those who can make it through the program.?
FBI agents pursue criminals who violate federal law, including Medicare fraud or crimes that cross state lines.
FBI agents can also seek careers as intelligence analysts, surveillance team members, forensic accountants or even language professionals. FBI agents must have bachelor’s degrees. Most pursue master’s degrees in subjects related to their career track.
Salary: The median annual wage for this high-paying criminal justice job is $93,970.
4. Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Detectives and criminal investigators respond to emergency and non-emergency calls to help solve crimes. They gather facts and evidence to determine who committed a crime and how. Detectives may also participate in raids or arrests once they have obtained sufficient evidence.
In some cases, detectives may investigate severe crimes like assaults, robberies or homicides. Larger police departments may have divisions or units that specialize in each crime. To become a detective, an applicant typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent and sufficient experience. Some police departments seek applicants with college degrees.
Salary: The median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators is $83,640.
5. Financial Examiners
Financial examiners ensure that companies adhere to laws and regulations governing monetary transactions. In a criminal justice context, this often means poring over financial records to identify evidence of “white-collar” crimes like embezzlement, money laundering and other fraudulent activities. Financial examiners who pursue this work often do so as forensic accountants.
To become a financial examiner, a person usually needs a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. Some examiners also pursue professional certification, including as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).?
Salary: The annual median pay for this job is $81,410, depending on location and which industry the financial examiner chooses to work in.
6. Forensic Psychologists
A forensic psychologist is a mental health professional who focuses on helping other legal professionals, such as judges and attorneys, work through the psychological aspects of a case or crime. They often testify as expert witnesses during hearings and trials. They may also interview suspects to determine competency to stand trial.
Forensic psychologists usually have a doctoral degree, either a Ph.D. or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.). Clinical psychologists who double as forensic psychologists need a license to practice.?
Salary: The median pay for psychologists is $81,040.
7. Crime Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts often work at the federal level (for the FBI) to help identify and understand threats and vulnerabilities to national security. They may work in divisions dealing with myriad threats, including counterterrorism and organized crime. Their job duties can involve:
Crime intelligence analysts may have advanced degrees in many fields depending on their post and area of expertise. New FBI agents must also undergo extensive training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.?
Salary: According to Salary.com, intelligence analysts earn a median salary of $73,663.
8. Transit and Railroad Police
Transit and railroad police are a subset of law enforcement officers focusing explicitly on patrolling transportation hubs like rail yards or subway stations. Their primary purpose is to protect the employees, people and passengers who use these systems.
Transit cops may remove trespassers from the property or check the IDs of those who attempt to enter secure areas. They may also apprehend suspects who commit petty thefts or robberies on the premises.
Salary: Transit cops earn a median annual salary of $64,930.
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9. Police Officers
For those who want to pursue a police career outside of transportation hubs, becoming a police officer for a city or town can be a fruitful career. Police officers patrol the streets of our cities, respond to emergency calls and issue citations for traffic violations and other crimes.
Police officers may work in special units or have general policing duties. In most cases, they must write detailed reports and logs of their interactions with the public. The level of education required for police work varies based on agency and location, but many police officers need a high school diploma and specialized training from a police academy.
Salary: Police officers earn a median salary of $64,610, not counting any overtime.
10. Criminal Justice Professors?
Many criminal justice professions require (or strongly recommend) a college degree these days, which makes professors at the postsecondary level an essential role in the field. Criminal justice professors have many of the same duties as educators in other areas.
They develop instructional plans and assignments for their students. In addition, they teach courses in the field and act as advisors to students pursuing criminal justice.
Criminal justice professors are often seasoned professionals. Many are either retired from other criminal justice careers or continue to hold jobs on this list.
Salary: A full-time criminal justice professor earns a median annual salary of $64,600.
11. Fire Investigators and Inspectors
Fire investigators and inspectors perform routine inspections of buildings to ensure they meet fire prevention codes. They also identify potential fire hazards and fine organizations that do not comply with codes.
Fire investigators typically reconstruct the scene of a fire or explosion and investigate evidence to determine its cause. They may send evidence to a lab for fingerprinting or to check for accelerants as evidence of arson. In addition, some fire investigators testify in civil or criminal proceedings.
Salary: Fire inspectors and investigators earn a median annual wage of $64,600.
12. Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic science technicians perform much more complicated (and less glamorous) work than what shows up on TV, but they still have a vital role in the criminal justice system. Forensic science workers:?
Some forensic science technicians focus exclusively on crime scene investigation, while others spend most of their time in the lab. Forensic science technicians may sometimes even consult outside experts for detailed information on specialized fields.
To become a forensic science technician, most applicants need a bachelor’s degree in physical science, biology or even forensic science. In addition, many crime scene investigators are sworn police officers who must attend and graduate from a police academy.
Salary: Forensic science technicians earn a median annual salary of $61,930.
13. Fish and Game Warden
Think of fish and game wardens as professionals who police the outdoors. They enforce laws that relate to boating, hunting and fishing. In addition to regular patrols of fishing and hunting areas, they often conduct search and rescue operations and investigate complaints regarding improper outdoor recreation.
Fish and game wardens often have a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, biology or natural resources.
Salary: The median annual wage for this job is $60,730.
14. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists?
When people are released from jail or prison, it is often under certain conditions. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists help these individuals re-acclimate to life on the outside. Common job duties include:
This criminal justice job is often stressful, as officers and specialists routinely work in and visit high-crime areas or institutions with a risk of violence. Because of this, they sometimes carry firearms or pepper spray for protection. Most probation officers must pass a background check and have a bachelor’s degree.?
Salary: Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earn a median salary of $60,250.
15. Private Detectives and Investigators
Police have their place in crime prevention and investigation. Sometimes, however, they are not the right fit for a person’s needs. This is where private detectives and investigators enter the picture.
A person might hire a private investigator to perform background checks or investigate potential theft from a person’s employer. They may also prove or disprove infidelity or help locate missing people.
Private investigators must be mindful of the law, however, as they do not have the same authority as police officers. As a result, they often have a solid understanding of the law.
Private investigators usually only need a high school diploma and several years of work experience. However, in most cases, the state requires them to have a license.
Salary: Private investigators typically earn a median wage of $59,380.
Is a Master's in Criminal Justice Worth It?
Pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice offers several benefits. In addition to opening more job opportunities, earning a master’s degree allows current professionals to secure leadership roles within agencies like the FBI.
Advanced studies offer specialized knowledge in a field, from forensics and special investigations to profiling. Those with master’s degrees tend to have higher earning potential than their peers who do not.
Job Outlook in the Criminal Justice Field
Each criminal justice job listed above varies in projected growth over the next decade. Employment for forensic science technicians, for example, is set to grow 14 percent by 2028. Police and patrol officers are expected to see a 5 percent uptick in jobs during the same time frame.?
How to Get a Job in Criminal Justice
The starting point for the best criminal justice jobs is a solid educational foundation. Some jobs — like police officers — may only require a high school diploma. However, most careers on our list require a bachelor’s degree and appropriate classes, including in criminal justice programs.
Top Takeaways
(Reporting by NPD)?