There are several criminal justice careers to choose from. Some of them require only an associate’s degree, while others require a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree in the discipline. Earnings for different types of jobs also vary. It pays to learn more about your main career options.
The most popular criminal justice careers include police officer and sheriff’s patrol officer. Most candidates must have at least 12 to 14 weeks of training in post-secondary education, but a criminal justice degree guarantees career advancement as well as a higher salary. The most recent statistical data shows that police officers and sheriff’s patrol officers with an associate’s degree earn between $35,769 and $61,023 per year.
Many graduates with a bachelor’s degree choose to begin a career in corrections. This option is growing in popularity, given the career advancement opportunities it offers. After starting out as a correctional officer with an annual salary between $25,000 and $50,000, you can be promoted to warden and earn around $70,000 a year. Wages in corrections are expected to rise in the coming years as demand for workers in this sector is projected to increase by 16%. Other popular corrections criminal justice careers include correctional treatment specialist and probation officer. These professionals typically earn between $38,000 and $51,000 a year.
You can choose to become a detective or crime scene investigator with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. For the last profession, he will have to specialize in forensic medicine. Both professions involve a variety of duties, from crime scene processing to evidence in court. Salaries for criminal detectives and investigators vary drastically based on experience on the job. Entry-level salaries are around $44,000, while seasoned professionals can earn around $115,000 on average. The salary also depends on the government institution you are working for.
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree and preferably a master’s degree in this discipline can find employment as DEA or FBI agents. Both institutions have different additional requirements to start a career in them. If you want to work for the FBI, you must have at least three years of work experience with a bachelor’s degree or at least two years of work experience with a master’s degree. Both the DEA and the FBI have their own training programs that you have to go through if you want to work for them. The average salary for agents ranges from $60,000 to $100,000, depending on their experience and rank.
There are many other criminal justice careers that you can pursue, although they are not the most popular with graduates. You can find a job in law enforcement, as long as you have experience as a police officer. Fraud investigation jobs are also popular with graduates. Some people prefer to work in safer work environments and choose to find a paralegal job or a social work job. Some choose to become CIA analysts.
Now that you know more about the different types of criminal justice careers, you can easily choose the one that’s best for you.