Criminal justice is a field that encompasses many areas and offers various career choices. Graduates of criminal justice programs have gone on to become police officers, game wardens, fire investigators, private investigators, sheriffs, private investigators or probation officers to name just a few. Since criminal justice professionals always seem to be in demand, they generally experience positive employment growth and can expect good wage potential. Here is a list of 10 high paying jobs in criminal justice, their training requirements and the wages they earned as of 2017.
1. Correction Office Supervisor
Correction officer supervisors manage prisoners and staff at criminal justice facilities. They are in charge of the training and management of all employees in the facility. They also perform administrative tasks like record keeping, updating reports and filing information. Education usually requires completing training at a police academy and obtaining certification. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is required to work for the federal government. Correction office supervisors earned a median annual wage of $43,963 as of January 2017, according to PayScale.
2. Fire Investigator
Fire investigators examine, analyze and investigate fires to determine the cause and origin of a fire. Their findings will determine if a fire was arson or accidental. They may work for law enforcement or insurance companies. Fire investigators, which may begin their careers working for fire departments, often complete two-year fire investigator programs and obtain National Association of Fire Investigators certification. PayScale reports that fire investigators earned median annual wages of $58,503 as of January 2017.
3. Fish and Game Warden
Fish and game wardens enforce laws to help preserve and protect fish and wildlife while educating the public on fishing and hunting laws. They may also participate in outdoor search and rescue missions. This career requires different types of training. Fish and game wardens must complete at least a 2-year associate degree program and possibly training in firearms use. A bachelor’s degree may be required to work at the federal level while policy academy training is required to work for the state. Fish and game wardens must complete at least 2-year associate degree programs and possibly training in firearms use. A bachelor’s degree may be required to work at the federal level while policy academy training is required to work for the state. PayScale reports that fish and game wardens earned median annual wages of $44,346 as of January 2017.
4. Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists help deter crime and determine what makes criminals commit crimes by using their knowledge of law and psychology. They may also testify in court hearings and participate in the rehabilitations of criminals. Aspiring forensic psychologist education may be a bachelor degree in psychology with a major in criminal justice/forensics or a bachelor degree in criminal justice with a major in psychology. Forensic psychologists earned median annual wages of $61,222 as of January 2017, according to PayScale.
5. Immigration and Customs Inspector
Also known as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, these professionals work in airports and on borderlands to protect the country from unlawful threats such as entry of illegal immigrants or smuggling of illegal goods. CBP officers must have experience working in this area and sufficient training such as a bachelor degree program. They must also pass exams demonstrating mental and physical competence. CBP officers earned median annual wages of $54,445 in January 2017, according to Payscale.com.
6. Intelligence Analyst
Intelligence analysts collect, evaluate and analyze data and information for various sources and use it to help prevent and anticipate crime activities. They use their knowledge to help detect potential terrorist activities. While intelligence analysts may obtain their training by earning master degrees, many begin their careers with bachelor degrees. They must also pass a background screening and meet requirements set by the agency in which they work. Intelligence analysts earned median annual wages of $65,386 in 2017.
7. Police Officer
Police officers serve and protect the public. Their duties include patrolling the streets, answering calling, issuing citations and testifying in court. Although a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, most police officers complete training at a police academy and may have an associate or bachelor degree in criminal justice, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Police officers earned median annual wages of $49,624 as of January 2017.
8. Private Investigator
Private investigators gather information about personal, legal or financial matters and may investigate computer and cybercrimes. They may work for law enforcement agencies or for the private sector. Private investigators may have high school diplomas and on-the-job training, but most have associate or bachelor degrees in police science or criminal justice, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Private investigators earned median annual wages of $49,786 in 2017.
9. Secondary Educator in Criminal Justice
Secondary educators in criminal justice are the instructors who teach criminal justice students. In addition to teaching, they also prepare class materials, initiate classroom discussions and grade papers and exams. Training for this career includes at least a bachelor degree program in criminology or criminal justice if not a master’s degree program and also completing an internship. Secondary educators in criminal justice earned a median annual wage of $51,387 in 2017, according to PayScale.
10. Security Manager
Security managers in charge of security personnel and security measures in law enforcement agencies or for businesses. Their duties also include monitoring security, determining security needs and initiating security protocols. Their training requires at least a bachelor degree in computer science, cyber security, criminal justice or a related field. Security experience in the field is also a plus. PayScale reports that security managers earn a median wage of $63,771 as of January 2017.
Criminal justice careers can be challenging and demanding but very rewarding. Criminal justice careers are popular because they can often be interchanged. For instance, a police officer may decide to become a fish and game warden with only a little additional training. Security and law enforcement professionals are needed in all sectors of our life.
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Earning a degree in a criminal justice field is the best way to become part of this group of highly respected professionals. The National Center for Education Statistics indicates that there are more than 500 schools offering criminal justice programs in the U.S. Any of the above 10 high paying jobs in criminal just can be obtained by completing either on-campus or online training programs. Many schools offer criminal justice programs with concentrations in many of these areas mentioned above.
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