If you have an interest in Criminology and are looking for criminology jobs as a career option, then you will want to know which jobs pay the best salaries.
For some criminology jobs, you don’t necessarily require a degree in Criminology, but having a Bachelor’s degree is highly recommended when applying for more specialized and senior positions that pay a higher salary.
A Criminology graduate can often secure a much higher salary, even in an entry level position. And, if you are ambitious and want to rise through the ranks then a degree is almost certainly an advantage when it comes to gaining those much sought after promotions.
We have put together a useful list of 6 Criminology Jobs that Pay Over 65k a Year, so read on to see which jobs could get you into that higher salary bracket.
1. Police Officer: $35,124-$80,000+ per year.
A job as a Police Officer is one of the most popular career choices for those interested in Criminology. The main tasks of a Police Officer include identifying, pursuing and arresting suspects, investigating crimes, interviewing witnesses and sometimes testifying in court.
It can be a dangerous job, and it does require good judgment and excellent decision-making skills. You will need to have at least an associate degree in order to work at state or federal level, and the more qualifications and experience you have, the higher your salary will become. For example, a Deputy Chief can earn up to $87564pa.
2. Lawyer: $57,966-$160,000+per annum.
Becoming a Lawyer, or Defense Attorney, is a long process; you first need to graduate with a 4 year Bachelor’s degree, and then attend law school for an additional 4 years in order to get your Law degree. Your role will be to give people counseling, investigate claims and present cases in court. Lawyers specialize in certain areas that interest them, such as family law, labor law, personal injury, bankruptcy, or tax. It’s a hard route to take, but representing someone in court can be very personally rewarding. It’s among the best paid of all the Criminal Justice careers.
3. Mediator: $34,134-$90,153 - annual salary.
Mediators act as a neutral third party in areas such as divorce or child custody. They advise clients who wish to negotiate terms under the guidance of an impartial professional. Mediators have to be great communicators, have expert conflict resolution skills, and, most importantly they must remain neutral at all times. By using a Mediator, clients hope to avoid costly, and time-consuming disputes in court. The top ten percent of Mediators can earn over $100.000pa.
4. Juvenile Probation Counselor: $44,000-$86,000 a year.
Juvenile Probation Counselors work with juvenile offenders, ensuring they are properly monitored within the Criminal Justice System. This involves interviewing everyone involved with the juvenile, in order to assess their situation and make recommendations about how he or she should be punished or detained. It’s an important role, and is seeing a rapid increase in new jobs available. With a Master’s degree it is possible to take on more senior positions, for instance, counseling drug or alcohol users. And, the more training and experience you have, the higher the salary you will earn.
5. Criminal Psychologist: $45,179-$85,158 per year.
A Criminal Psychologist will look at the evidence from a case in order to try and find clues that help offer an insight into the criminal’s mind. The results from their analyses can influence how a suspect is sentenced in court. The best job opportunities are working for a police department or the FBI. If you have a Master’s degree or doctorate you will be at the higher end of the salary scale.
6. Court Reporter: $39,978-$68,242+ per year.
A Court Reporter, or Stenotypist, plays a vital role in the courtroom. Every word spoken in the courtroom has to be recorded accurately and efficiently, as the transcriptions are referred to when making arguments and judgements. It is one of the most important jobs in the courtroom; because if the Court Reporter misses something, or is not very accurate, it could have drastic consequences when sentencing or acquitting someone. A Criminal Justice degree is not required for this career–after high school, you can study court reporting classes at a vocational school or community college. The top ten percent of Court Reporters can earn more than $83,000pa.
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This is just a rough guide of some of the criminal justice salaries. If you would like an in depth report on criminal justice careers check out our free criminal justice careers guides which explains 7 more top jobs in this field and how you can secure a position today!
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