Criminal Justice Careers And Salaries

If you are thinking about getting a degree in criminal justice there is a huge variety of criminal justice careers and salaries to go with them. Many people think that you can only go into law enforcement with a background in criminal justice, but this is very far from the truth. There are many other things you can do in a wide range of fields including forensics, law, police work, and corrections.

Corrections Officer. This is a growing field in criminal justice. In recent years there has been a growing need for corrections officers. Prisons have growing populations that need to be controlled along with youth correctional facilities. An officer with a criminal justice degree can expect to earn about $42,000 a year on average, although there are some that make about $65,000 annually.

Paralegal. If you like the idea of going into criminal justice, but also want to study more of the law, then a paralegal job is a good place to start. A paralegal helps attorneys in many aspects of their research, trial preparation, and even depositions. As a paralegal you can expect to earn anywhere from $50,000 to over $75,000 a year.

Private Investigator. You can also use a criminal justice degree to become a private investigator. If your image of a PI involves a dark dingy office, don't worry. There are also careers working for the government, corporations, and local police forces. The salary ranges between $47,000 and $75,000 depending on who you work for and where you live.

Criminologist. A criminologist uses their background in criminal justice to study criminals and criminal behavior. They look at cases and give input on the theoretical reasons for why crimes happen. A criminologist can be found working in their own private practice or for police forces. They usually make around $42,000 to $54,000 a year.