Popular Jobs You Can Get With a Criminal Justice Degree
When you think about careers in criminal justice, you likely think of jobs such as police officer, private investigator, or correctional officer. However, the opportunities don’t stop there. The field of criminal justice intersects with many other areas, such as psychology, business, and science. The result is that you have a wide variety of career choices with a degree in criminal justice.
Read on to learn more about 10 popular jobs in the field, as well as 10 unique criminal justice jobs—some that you never would have imagined!
10 Popular Jobs in Criminal Justice
You may have heard of many of the jobs that follow—but you might not know much about them. We give you a brief overview of each, including what you can expect with regard to salary and job growth. You’ll also find unusual facts about each career that will give you a unique perspective—and a great story to tell!
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists study the psychological factors that cause a person to commit a crime. They evaluate suspects, witnesses, and victims and provide expert testimony in court cases. They also play a part in crime prevention by analyzing the motivations, behaviors, and emotions of those who commit crimes.
Salary
Median: $85,330
Top 10%: $141,910
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Doctorate
Interesting Fact!
Forensic psychologists played an important role in the trial of Ted Bundy, a notorious serial killer from the 1970s. Although lawyers for Bundy argued that he was not mentally fit to stand trial, the judge overturned that argument—partly due to the evidence presented by forensic psychologists.1
Mental Health Counselor
Mental health counselors work with criminals, victims, and sometimes even law enforcement personnel who have dealt with trauma in the course of their job. As growing awareness sheds light on the need for quality mental health counselors woven into our criminal justice system, this role will only become more relevant.
Salary
Median: $49,710
Top 10%: $82,710
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Master’s degree
Interesting Fact!
More mental health counselors responded to the humanitarian crisis following Hurricane Katrina than any other mental health professional group. They also provided free services after the Virginia Tech shootings.2
Private Detective/Investigator
Private detectives conduct investigations and search for evidence in both civil and criminal cases. They conduct surveillance, interview people, investigate financial records, help find missing persons, or gather evidence to help solve a crime. They often work independently or are hired by private companies.
Salary
Median: $52,120
Top 10%: $92,660
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Minimum of a high school diploma and several years of work experience in the field, typically in law enforcement; a bachelor’s degree may be necessary for some positions
Interesting Fact!
PIs sometimes have unusual stories to tell. One PI was hired to follow another investigator—who, as it turned out, was hired to follow him! In another case, a woman wanted to know what her cat was up to—she hired a PI to follow her cat all day. He didn’t find much…lots of tree climbing and licking. An insurance company hired a PI to follow a woman who claimed she was blind. To his surprise, he spent the whole day following her as she DROVE from place to place.3
Security Manager
Security managers protect businesses or other organizations from security breaches or criminal activity. They assess risks and create security policies to prevent dangers such as bomb threats, break-ins, or fire hazards. Modern security management relies heavily on computer and technology skills. Although security managers aren’t required to possess strong technical skills, they manage and work with IT managers to create productive, fast-performing, and secure networks.
Salary
Median: $48,810
Top 10%: $94,070
Job Growth
Average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree
Interesting Fact!
Security managers in technology are keeping busy. According to Cybint Solutions, there is an online hacker attack every 39 seconds. It would be your job to help hunt those cyber bad guys down. Dislike the sound of “security manager”? Try calling yourself “The Cyber Hacker Slayer” instead. Same job, better ring.4
Forensic Accountant
This career path is an exciting way to use number-crunching skills. Forensic accountants investigate financial documents in relation to any legal case, both civil and criminal. Common crimes they investigate include money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption.
Salary
Median: $78,000
Top 10%: $132,690
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or bachelor’s with Certified Public Accountant (CPA) degree
Interesting Fact!
In 2013 actor Leonardo DiCaprio starred as real-life stockbroker and convict Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wallstreet. Belfort, one of the most successful stockbroker con-artists of the 1990s, defrauded hundreds of clients to the tune of $200 million. After his conviction, it took forensic accountants nine years to recover money for his victims!5
Forensic Science Technician
Forensic science technicians investigate specific evidence found at a crime scene or related to a crime. Some technicians work mainly in the field, collecting samples and other physical evidence. Others may work in laboratories investigating chemical or biological evidence, including fingerprints or blood splatter.
Salary
Median: $63,740
Top 10%: $104,330
Job Growth
Much faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree in either a natural science or forensic science
Interesting Fact!
Who knew you could solve a case with some pet hair? According to Insider, a man was convicted of manslaughter after his cat’s hair was found at the scene of the crime. Bet he’s wishing he invested in that lint roller.6
Police Officer
Police officers are on the frontlines of keeping our communities safe. Their work involves much more than making arrests—it also includes community relationship-building, policy implementation, and crime prevention activities.
Salary
Median: $69,160
Top 10%: $109,580
Job Growth
Average
Recommended Level of Education
Graduation from a training academy (some agencies may accept a high school degree or some post-secondary education)
Interesting Fact!
Although you typically see male and female police officers working together in films and television shows, only 12% of police officers in local departments and 6.5% in state agencies are female. Unfortunately, this number hasn’t increased in 20 years. Interested in law enforcement, gals? Consider this a call for you.7
Forensic Nurse
With care and compassion, forensic nurses evaluate and treat victims of assault, domestic abuse, child and elder abuse, and sexual crimes. They also collect evidence that might be relevant to the crime.
Salary
Median: $81,220
Top 10%: $129,400
Job Growth
Much faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s in nursing
Interesting Fact!
Some biological evidence is not visible to the naked eye. Alternate Light Source (ALS) technology has helped forensic nurses and others in the field identify bruising, saliva, and other forms of evidence that would otherwise not be detected. The technology works based on using ultraviolet light do identify natural fluorescent properties of biological substances.8
Criminal Justice Teacher
As in any field, education is critical to success. Criminal justice teachers shape the minds of the next generation of law enforcement. The majority of criminal justice teachers work in colleges or universities. They may teach the basics of criminal justice or branch out into more specific areas such as criminal psychology and courts in the judicial system.
Salary
Median: $78,980
Top 10%: $129,640
Job Growth
Much faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Doctorate
Interesting Fact!
Stephan C. Richards, a criminology professor at Northern Kentucky University, has an unusual past—he is an ex-convict. ”Ex-cons make good criminology professors because we know so much about the system,” Richards said to The New York Times. He is one of a growing group of ex-convict professors who advocate using experiences of criminals to promote a better understanding of the criminal justice system. (However, we don’t recommend this educational path!)9
Correctional Officer
Correctional officers work in jails, prisons, and other secure facilities to monitor inmates, their activities, and their environment. They are often the first to detect possible trouble such as prison uprisings, plans for escape, suicidal tendencies, or gang activity.
Salary
Median: $54,760
Top 10%: $129,640
Job Growth
Decline (however, numbers are still good, with 31,300 jobs projected through 2026)
Recommended Level of Education
Minimum of a high school diploma plus work experience and/or some college
Interesting Fact!
When it opened in 1934, Alcatraz, an island prison outside of San Francisco, was considered to be the most secure prison in the world. But in 1962, inmate John Scott smeared lard on his body, squeezed through a window, and then swam to shore. He is the only person known to have escaped Alcatraz alive—although he was later apprehended barely conscious.10
10 Unique Jobs in Criminal Justice
When you think of jobs within the criminal justice system, you probably think of police officers, detectives, criminal attorneys, forensic scientists, and so on. However, not all people interested in criminal justice want to interact with criminals, carry a gun, work with blood and other bodily fluids, or go to law school.
Fortunately (or perhaps not so fortunately!), the field of criminal justice reaches far and wide. There are applications in areas you probably never thought of, and positions for all personalities and skillsets.
Read on to learn about 10 unique criminal justice jobs—that might just be perfect for you!
Customs Agent and Import Specialist
Customs agents and import specialists work at U.S. points of entry to ensure that all people and goods crossing the border are doing so legally.
They examine visas and applications for entry, inspect cargo and goods, and interpret and explain customs laws. They may use special technology to ensure that drugs or other illegal goods are not brought into the country.
Salary
Median: $68,180
Top 10%: $106,058
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Associate degree plus on-the-job training
Crime Victims Service Coordinator
Victims of crime need more than just emotional support—they need information about next steps, protection, representation, and resources. Crime victim service coordinators, also known as victim/witness advocates, help victims and their families navigate the criminal justice system. They may connect victims with social workers or counselors, represent juveniles in court, or help victims understand the legalities of the justice system.
Salary
Median: $38,520
Top 10%: $49,330
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s in criminal justice, sociology, or psychology and several years of experience in human services
Loss Prevention Specialist
According to a June 2017 Time article, retail theft amounted to around $48.9 billion in 2016. Loss prevention specialists typically work for security departments of large retail store chains to handle and help prevent theft crimes—including employee theft. They develop and implement anti-theft strategies and create policies for interception of thieves.
Salary
Median: $34,770
Top 10%: $57,190
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree (high school diploma may be sufficient for non-managerial positions)
Postal Inspector
Postal inspectors do the same work as criminal investigators, but specifically for mail-related crimes. As federal investigators, they may see crimes that range from fraud to bioterrorism. The job may involve collection and inspection of evidence, following leads, writing reports, and developing theories about crimes within the postal system.
Salary
Median: $46,982
Top 10%: $78,189
Job Growth
Average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree and academy training through the United States Postal Inspection Service
Diplomatic Security Agent
Diplomatic security agents work on behalf of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security to help ensure the security of diplomatic personnel, information, and facilities. They often work at U.S. or foreign embassies, conducting advanced security visits, securing areas for visiting diplomats, and conducting investigations.
Salary
Median: $44, 271
Top 10%: $59,496
Job Growth
Average
Recommended Level of Education
Credits toward a graduate degree, experience in law enforcement, and/or military training; candidates cannot be older than 37 at the time of their appointment
Fish and Game Warden
This is a great career track for outdoor enthusiasts with a passion for maintaining and conserving the natural world. Fish and game wardens patrol designated regions for potential illegal activity, conduct investigations, enforce policies for protecting native species and wildlife, and issuing warnings. The job entails a great deal of independent work in the field but also requires excellent collaboration skills when state and federal investigators get involved in cases.
Salary
Median: $59,860
Top 10%: $85,300
Job Growth
Slower than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree
Cybersecurity Analyst
Data security is a huge priority for government entities, nonprofits, and companies of all sizes. Cybersecurity specialists are the key to keeping data safe for these organizations. They monitor networks and install security software to protect data, conduct security tests on their networks, create policies and practices to ensure security standards, and help troubleshoot when there are security breaches.
Salary
Median: $119,860
Top 10%: $174,540
Job Growth
Much faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s in computer science, cybersecurity, or another computer-related field
Mediator
A mediator serves as an impartial party to help people find mutually beneficial solutions without having to go to court. Their primary role is to listen to both parties in a dispute and find a resolution that both parties can agree on. During this process mediators help keep discussions civil and on track, inform parties about any legal issues, and review documents related to a dispute. Mediators need to have excellent listening skills and the ability to be fair-minded in all types of situations.
Salary
Median: $98,920
Top 10%: $194,630
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field (a master’s is typically required for advanced or specialized areas such as conflict management, public policy, or law)
Blood Splatter Analyst
Blood splatter analysis is a highly specialized area of forensic science. Analysts are trained to detect and interpret blood splatter patterns to help detectives generate theories about what occurred during a crime. They work at crime scenes to examine and photograph blood splatter and collect blood. Back at the lab they analyze the splatter, try to reconstruct the crime, and write reports of their findings.
Salary
Median: $69,260
Top 10%: $104,330
Job Growth
Much faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
Bachelor’s degree in a natural science or forensic science and on-the-job training
Fire Inspector and Investigator
Fire inspectors conduct regular inspections of buildings to ensure they meet local and state fire codes. They search for fire hazards, conduct assessments of buildings, test alarms and fire equipment, issue warnings, and suggest solutions. Fire investigators analyze the scene of a fire or explosion to determine the cause. They collect and analyze evidence from a fire scene, talk to witnesses, and investigate possible arson.
Salary
Median: $76,910
Top 10%: $125,610
Job Growth
Faster than average
Recommended Level of Education
High school diploma with experience as a firefighter
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.