Graduating with a criminal justice degree provides a pathway to careers in law offices, corrections, or law enforcement, and those with a bachelor’s degree can look forward to about $68,000 per year1 on average.
This guide explores different criminal justice fields and opportunities and what students can expect when pursuing a career in criminal justice.
Best Criminal Justice Jobs
Graduates can look forward to thriving careers in criminal justice. These constitute the best options:
- Lawyers: One of the highest paying jobs on the list
- Detectives: A tried and true option in law enforcement
- Forensic Science Technicians: An up and coming technology field
- Paralegal: Above average salary for a short time in school
- Customers and Border Patrol: A growing job option
Highest Paying Criminal Justice Jobs
The criminal justice field offers plenty of opportunity for graduates in three primary areas: corrections, the court system, and law enforcement. These ten positions offer excellent average annual salaries and encompass some of the most common fields for graduates.
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Lawyer Average Annual Salary: $126,930
Criminal justice graduates can attend law school after graduation to become lawyers, enjoying well over six figures per year2 in the law field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts average annual growth over the next decade2 as current lawyers leave the field for other occupations or retirement. Defense lawyers can open their own practice or join a large firm while prosecutors work for local, state, and federal agencies.
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Post-secondary Teachers of Criminal Justice Average Annual Salary: $74,740
College and university-level criminal justice teachers make about $74,000 per year3 on average and help train the next generation of criminal justice workers. Those who possess some experience in the field already can move into one of the thousands of positions available in junior colleges, four-year schools, and university systems3.
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Police and Detectives Average Annual Salary: $67,290
Those working in law enforcement can make an average of just over $67,000 per year4 working to solve crimes and close cases. BLS predicts job growth of 7% over the next ten years4. Law enforcement hopefuls need to attend any trainings required by their department and need at least a high school diploma to begin at the entry level.
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Forensic Science Technicians Average Annual Salary: $60,590
Forensic science technicians enjoy an average annual salary of just over $60,000 per year5. They collect and analyze evidence found at crime scenes and aid in trials or investigations as needed. The field is expected to grow at a faster than average rate over the next 10 years5. To get started in the field, professionals need training in the science disciplines such as chemistry or biology5.
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Paralegals and Legal Assistants Average Annual Salary: $52,920
Paralegals make an average yearly salary of just over $52,000 per year6 helping lawyers and law offices manage caseloads and handle research. They work with trials, criminal law activities, defense, or prosecution in the criminal justice field. The field could grow as much as 12% over the next decade6, giving students more opportunities than the average work industry6.
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Probation Offers and Correctional Specialists Average Annual Salary: $55,960
Probation offers and those working in the correctional facilities enjoy an average salary of over $55,000 per year7. These positions work with the rehabilitation of offenders both during their incarceration and afterward. Although the field could experience slower than average growth7, around 3,500 new positions become available every year7.
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Crime Scene Investigator Average Annual Salary: $48,607
Crime scene investigators make just over $48,0008 helping analyze clues left behind at crime scenes. They offer that analysis to those working on the case to try to solve what happened and prevent any mistakes. They also assist in trials and court proceedings.
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Judges and Hearing Officers Average Annual Salary: $124,200
Judges and hearing officers make around $124,000 on average per year9. They apply the law by overseeing all the proceedings happening inside the court and, in many cases, issuing opinions and next steps. Some judge positions require a law degree9 while others in the magistrate court or administrative law judge positions require a bachelor’s degree only9.
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Customs and Border Patrol Average Annual Salary: $87,000
Customs agents and those working in border patrol enjoy an average salary of about $87,000 per year10. These professionals are responsible for securing the borders against illegal substances, criminal activity, and wrongful crossing.
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FBI Agent Annual Salary: $65,888
Those working in the FBI enjoy an annual salary of $65,000 per year on average11. FBI agents serve in the country’s principal federal enforcement agency and work in domestic intelligence.
Popular Career Paths With a Criminal Justice Degree
Criminal justice encompasses three general fields, but their expression can vary.
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The Court System
Graduates who find employment in the court system can work in a number of different areas. Defense lawyers, for example, work for the state as public defenders or join a private practice. Paralegals also aid in defense proceedings.
On the opposite bench, prosecution teams include local, state, or even federal prosecuting lawyers and their paralegals. Judges preside over all legal proceedings while bailiffs ensure that court sessions remain organized and safe.
In some cases, those with backgrounds in sociology or psychology provide services to the families of offenders and victims, help with trial proceedings or hearings, and offer expert testimony.
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Law Enforcement
Law enforcement encompasses various positions at the local, state, and federal levels. Enforcement includes police officers and detectives with city and state jurisdiction. Crime scene investigators, criminal profilers, and forensic technicians aid in investigations while cybersecurity specialists work on investigations happening on the internet.
At the federal level, FBI agents work on behalf of the U.S. government. Border patrol ensures all potential border crossings are safe and legal. DEA agents work to end the drug trade, and CIA agents handle foreign investigations.
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Corrections
The corrections branch of criminal justice works directly with offenders, victims, and families. Corrections employees work in prison systems keeping inmates safe and facilities running smoothly. Psychologists and social workers with expertise in criminal justice offer rehabilitation activities to inmates and work with the families of the incarcerated.
Upon release, parole officers and therapists work to help previous offenders adjust to their release and avoid reoffending.
Degree Type
Many of the job types available in criminal justice require at least a bachelor’s degree. However, those going into policing need a high school diploma plus training from their chosen agency4. Correctional and bailiff positions also require a high school diploma and department training before starting. Paralegals typically need only an associate degree6 to begin work.
Bachelor’s degrees can help those looking to find federal positions such as FBI roles, detective positions, and entry-level social work. Master’s degrees offer opportunities for court or corrections psychologists. Those looking to go into law need a law degree on top of an undergraduate degree, while court judges typically have experience as lawyers under their belts as well.
Average Salary for Criminal Justice Degree Graduates
PayScale estimates an average salary of $68,000 per year1 for criminal justice degree graduates. This number varies depending on the particular field and level of education attained. For example, students who continue on to receive a master’s degree in criminal justice could enjoy an average annual salary of $85,000 per year.
Lawyers and judges receive some of the highest salaries in the field, but these fields often require a law degree. Law degrees take at least three years beyond four-year undergraduate work.
How to Find a Job After You Graduate
Criminal justice graduates can get real-world experience by working with their schools to complete internships and externships in their chosen field. For example, forensic technicians’ chance to work in a real lab with real-world clues offers invaluable resume details.
In some cases, internships and experience remain a requirement for certification. Law students begin clerking or interning with organizations that frequently hire from that same internship pool after graduation. Psychologists and social workers complete internships and continuing education to receive and maintain certification.
Networking with professionals in the field allows students to find out about position openings. Students can also join professional associations in their chosen field for news on new opportunities and the chance to connect with organizations they want to work for.
Discover More About a Career With a Criminal Justice Degree
Q. What types of jobs are in criminal justice?
The field includes three major components: courts, enforcement, and corrections. Jobs fall into one of these three buckets.
Q. How much is a criminal justice salary?
Criminal justice undergraduate degree holders make about $68,000 per year1, but that number increases to $85,000 per year12 for master’s degree holders.
Q. How can I become an FBI agent?
The FBI requires applicants to be between 23 and 36 years old. They must also hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and possess at least two years of work experience. Master’s degree holders need at least one year of work experience13.
Q. Should I get a degree in criminology or criminal justice?
Criminal justice graduates can go on to work in their neighborhoods to prevent crime, defend or prosecute the accused, and work to improve the criminal justice system. Criminologists focus on the perpetrators themselves, studying their motivations and triggers. Students should choose the degree type based on their ultimate career goals.
Q. What are the benefits of a criminal justice degree?
Graduates in this degree field can pursue jobs in multiple fields. Many of these fields expect steady job growth over the next ten years and offer reliable salaries.
References
[1] PayScale. (2021). Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Salary. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor%27s_Degree%2C_Criminal_Justice/Salary
[2] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Lawyers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm
[3] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational Wage and Employment Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251111.htm
[4] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm
[5] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm
[6] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Paralegals and Legal Assistants. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm
[7] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm
[8] PayScale. (2021). Crime Scene Investigator Average Salary. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Crime_Scene_Investigator_(CSI)/Salary
[9] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Judges and Hearing Officers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/judges-and-hearing-officers.htm
[10] PayScale. (2021). Average Salary for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Employees. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Employer=U.S._Customs_and_Border_Protection/Salary
[11] PayScale. (2021). Average FBI Salary. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=FBI_Agent/Salary
[12] PayScale. (2021). Average Salary for Criminal Justice Master’s Degree. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master%27s_Degree%2C_Criminal_Justice/Salary
[13] FBI (n.a.). Special Agent Eligibility. https://www.fbijobs.gov/career-paths/special-agents/eligibility