Individuals who wish to pursue careers in criminal justice have a wide variety of options. Some may choose to become policemen or detectives. These positions carry with them a high degree of risk and stress, but are essential to the safety of communities. Entry-level positons in these fields require law-enforcement officers to maintain order, engage in problem solving, enforce laws and ordinances, prevent crime, make arrests and cooperate with diverse community members. Officers may also be responsible for taking fingerprints, issuing summonses, warnings and citations and investigating crime scenes. Detectives and criminal investigators tend to receive higher salaries than most police or sheriff’s patrol officers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2012, the median salary for detectives and criminal investigators was $74,300, while the median salary for police and sheriff’s patrol officers was $55,270.
Those who are interested in criminal justice careers might also opt to pursue more specialized options. They may, for instance, choose to help ensure the safety and security of passengers and cargo on railroads and public transit lines. These jobs may also carry a high degree of risk; however, they allow people travel and trade safely. According to the BLS, The median salary for transit and railroad police, meanwhile, was $55,210 and the median salary for fish and game wardens was $48,070.The median salary for transit and railroad police, meanwhile, was $55,210 and the median salary for fish and game wardens was $48,070.
While careers in investigation and law enforcement are, perhaps, the most recognized careers in criminal justice, the field offers job seekers several other options. Some in the field may choose to teach. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for post-secondary teachers in criminal justice and law enforcement was $56,980 according to 2013 estimates. The highest earners in this field commanded salaries of more than $98,000, while the lowest 10% earned just over $30,000. These jobs may carry less risk than traditional law enforcement positions, but they are essential to public safety, because they prepare the future law enforcement workforce.
Those who are interested in the scientific side of criminal justice may wish to pursue careers as forensic science technicians. Forensic science technicians are responsible for analyzing evidence including bite marks, handwriting, firearms, blood spatters, hair and voices – often to shed light on criminal activities. The median salary for these workers was $52,840 per year in 2012. Those in the lowest 10% earned less than $32,000 a year, while those who earned the highest salaries made as much as $85,210 each year. Those who are interested in the social side of criminal justice might wish to look for a career as a criminologist. Criminologists study trends in social behavior, then examine the ways in which certain behaviors deviate from normal behavior in order to determine why an individual may have committed a crime.
Others may choose to seek employment as witness protection workers. These workers are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of individuals who have witnessed crimes. They are also responsible for obtaining and protecting sensitive data. Such workers can also act as go-betweens between witnesses and governmental agencies. In the United States, these positions usually fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Marshals. The starting salary for a U.S. Marshall is between $38,511 and $48,708 a year.
Still others may wish to work as counselors or advocates in the criminal justice system. Prison counselors help inmates rehabilitate and prepare them for life outside of prison. They also provide inmates with educational support and help them develop new vocational skills. Counselors may also provide inmates with personal counseling services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is $48,190 per year or $23.17 per hour.
Criminal justice careers also include jobs that deal with international security. An individual might, for instance choose to pursue a career as a customs agent or a border security agent. Glassdoor.com suggests that the average salary of a Customs and Border Patrol Agent is more than $89,000.
Other occupations an individual considering a career in criminal justice might consider include the following: airport security officer, paralegal, juvenile court counselor, or social worker.
