What's the Salary for Someone with a Criminal Justice Degree?

<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutCriminalJusticeDegreeCareerOptions"> Important Facts About Criminal Justice Degree Career Options</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Police Patrol Officer </th><th> Probation Officer </th><th> Paralegals</th></tr> <tr><td> On-the-Job Training </td><td> Provided by training academy before becoming an officer </td><td> Mandatory training program provided by state or federal government </td><td> Not formally provided, but proficiency is acquired through work experience and schooling</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 3% growth </td><td> 0% growth </td><td> 14% growth</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Leadership; physical strength and stamina; empathy; good judgment and decision making </td><td> Critical thinking; organization; clear communication; emotional stability </td><td> Computer competency; organization; investigation; social nuance</td></tr> <tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Correctional officers and bailiffs; private detectives and investigators </td><td> Social and human service assistants; social workers; substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors </td><td> Lawyers; occupational health and safety specialists; secretaries and administrative assistants</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p><h3 id="section---PolicePatrolOfficer">Police Patrol Officer</h3><p>Many people with bachelor's degrees in criminal justice decide to become police officers. <i>PayScale.com</i> reported in January 2023 that these professionals made salaries ranging from $39,000-$90,000 with a BS in Criminal Justice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) <i>www.bls.gov</i>, the overall average annual salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers was $70,750 in May 2021, but this figure varies by state of employment and employer. </p><p>The BLS reported in May 2021 that police and sheriff's patrol officers working for local government earned an average wage of $70,690, while those working for state government earned an average wage of $78,350. </p><h3 id="section---ProbationOfficer">Probation Officer</h3><p>Probation officers and other correctional system workers usually need a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work or a related field. <i>PayScale.com</i> reported that most probation officers with a BS in Criminal Justice earned $39,829 in January 2023. The BLS reported that probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earned an average salary of $63,290 yearly in May 2021. </p><p>Two factors that can affect pay are employer type and location. For example, probation officers employed by state government organizations earned an average yearly salary of $60,460 in May 2021, according to the BLS. On the other hand, those who work for other residential care facilities made a lower average wage of $37,170. </p><h3 id="section---Paralegals">Paralegals</h3><p>A bachelor's degree in criminal justice prepares graduates for jobs as paralegals. <i>PayScale.com</i> reported that most paralegals with a BS in Criminal Justice earned around $47,821 in January 2023. According to the BLS, the average yearly salary for paralegals and legal assistants was $58,330 in May 2021. Most worked in the legal services industry and earned an average wage of $55,690. </p><p>The BLS also reported that California, which offered an average wage of $70,290, employed the highest number of paralegals and legal assistants. The District of Columbia was the state offering the highest average wage of $83,420.</p>