Criminal Justice Jobs

Careers in criminal justice aren’t restricted to the courts or police work. Forensic scientists, customs agents and private investigators all pursue criminal justice degrees. Jobs in criminal justice can be found in the media, various levels of government and private enterprise.
 
A criminal justice or law enforcement job is highly transferable: the skill set needed to be a police officer, for instance, can also be applied to DEA agents or the Secret Service. The opportunity for career advancement in criminal justice jobs is very good, and the law enforcement job market is growing steadily.

Criminal Justice Careers

No matter what your temperament or area of interest, you’ll find something of interest in criminal justice jobs. Want to serve your country through a law enforcement job? The police department is an obvious choice, but government careers in criminal justice also include AFT, CIA, DEA and FBI positions.
 
Enjoy life on the high seas? Put your criminal justice training to work as a coast guard. Or perhaps you’d prefer a more academic position, in which case you might opt to become a criminologist.
 
Some people avoid careers in criminal justice, taking the view that a law enforcement job is dangerous. While there’s certainly an element of danger to police work, like as an FBI or Secret Service agent, other criminal justice jobs are quite safe. Paralegals, lawyers, computer forensic professionals and court clerks are not on the front lines of law enforcement, and are rarely considered dangerous professions.
 
Here are just a few of the many criminal justice jobs available:
  • 911 dispatcher
  • AFT agent
  • CIA agent
  • coast guard
  • compliance officer
  • computer forensics
  • corrections officer
  • court bailiff
  • court clerk
  • court reporter
  • crime scene investigation
  • criminalist
  • criminologist
  • customs agent
  • DEA agent
  • FBI agent
  • forensic psychology
  • forensic science
  • homeland security
  • INS agent
  • judge
  • lawyer
  • military police
  • police detective
  • police officer
  • probation officer
  • secret service
  • security guard
  • sheriff
  • U.S. marshall
  • warden.
 

Skills and Salary for Criminal Justice Jobs

It’s difficult to discuss the skill set needed for a law enforcement job because careers in criminal justice are so diverse. Almost all criminal justice careers require a commitment to the legal system and an ability to work with people.
 
Frontline careers, such as police work and DEA agents, require the ability to think clearly in an emergency, as do high-stress "behind the scenes" careers such as 911 dispatchers. Physical fitness is a requirement for a frontline law enforcement job, while specialist work such as forensic science positions require a clear, analytical mind and attention to detail.
 
Generally speaking there’s consistent growth in criminal justice careers. Competition for administrative positions can be intense, however. There’s also a tendency for a law enforcement job in an urban setting to be more highly sought than those in rural areas.
 
As with required skills, salaries vary from one law enforcement job to the next. Listed below are average salaries for a sampling of criminal justice careers:
  • corrections administration $56,510
  • corrections officer $42,500
  • court reporter $50,380
  • criminologist $45,781
  • FBI agent $48,159 to $75,414
  • FBI management position $89,115 to $104,826
  • forensic psychologist $78,000
  • forensic science technician $50,340
  • law office manager $37,240
  • legal secretary $40,550
  • mediators $82,780 to $109,490
  • paralegals $50,000
  • police officer $50,330 (local), $55,780 (state)
  • private investigator $42,660
  • security guard $21,530 to $35,840.
 

Education Required for a Law Enforcement Job

Most employers, however, prefer employees with an actual degree in criminal justice. Criminal justice degrees are available as associates and bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and Ph.D.s. High level administrative criminal justice careers often require a masters or Ph.D. in criminal justice.

Criminal Justice Associations

Criminal justice careers are constantly adapting to changes in the law, government policy, and the latest technology. Joining a criminal justice or law enforcement association in your field helps you stay up-to-date on industry changes.
 
Associations linked to jobs in criminal justice include:
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences
  • American Correctional Association
  • Criminal Justice Jobs and Associations
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • National Association of Legal Assistants
  • National Association of Police Organizations
  • National Criminal Justice Association
  • National Sheriff’s Association.
 
Share |