There are several jobs in criminology available. A typical degree in Criminology will combine many topics and areas of research, including other interdisciplinary subjects such as Sociology, Psychology and Law. This means that a Criminology degree can act as a good all-rounder program, and therefore it can be used for a variety of jobs within the Criminal Justice system.
We have put together a list of some of the Top 25 Exciting Jobs in Criminology. Read on to see how varied and rewarding a career in Criminology can be.
1. Criminologist: up to $34,395-$49,815pa.
A Criminologist analyzes patterns and behaviors within populations and individuals. They use psychological profiling and make use of statistics in order to determine the habits and methods of crime. It’s a challenging profession that is very effective at being able to catch criminals based on their psychology. It’s all about getting inside the head of a criminal and anticipating their next move.
2. Police Officer/Law Enforcement: $35,124-$80,000+pa.
The role of Police Officer can include identifying, pursuing and arresting suspects, investigating crimes, testifying in court, and interviewing witnesses and suspects. It can be a dangerous and challenging job, that requires good judgment and firm decision-making skills.
3. Security Guard: $19,277-$27,716pa.
A Security Guard provides security and deters criminals from the facility or property he is guarding; a guard can be armed or unarmed. They may have to interview witnesses to any crime that has been committed. Jobs include, patrolling premises when they are closed–usually at night, working as an entrance guard, or being a guard on an armored car.
4. Court Clerk: average $25,335-$38,091pa.
A Court Clerk is responsible for all administrative duties inside the courtroom, such as; swearing in witnesses and juries, taking the minutes of the court session and preparing a schedule of the cases to be judged. They also review legal documents, and may sometimes swear in new citizens.
5. Private Investigator: $33,502-$61,442pa.
A Private Investigator will often specialize in one area of law enforcement, this could be as a computer forensic investigator–preventing cyber crime, or as a corporate investigator, looking after the interests of private businesses. A Private Investigator’s job is very diverse compared to other careers in Criminal Justice and suits the type of person who wants to work for themselves.
6. Fraud Analyst: $33,000-$61,000pa.
A Fraud Investigator may interview victims and witnesses, perform research on financial records, and conduct surveillance work as part of their case. They present their findings to the court as evidence used to acquit or find guilty anyone suspected of fraud.
7. Victim Services Specialist: average $33,000pa.
A job as a Victim Services Specialist involves a number of different areas. They may act as a liaison between families and law enforcement agencies, or they may offer counseling support to children who have been abused. It’s a caring profession that aims to help people in distress, and as such can be stressful but also highly personally rewarding.
8. Juvenile Probation Counselor: $44,000-$86,000pa.
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 the situation and make recommendations about how he or she should be punished or detained.
9. Paralegal: $33,215-$52,549pa.
Paralegals assist qualified lawyers in their work. They prepare cases, help check the facts of a case, and can draft contracts. Paralegals work in all types of organizations; law firms, corporate legal departments, and various government offices. Top Paralegals can earn around $75,700pa.
10. Criminal Psychologist: $45,179-$85,158pa.
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 best job opportunities are working for a police department or the FBI.
11. Social Worker: $36,000-$50,000pa.
A Social Worker oversees the medical and health care arrangements of their clients. This can include, ensuring they have adequate food, clothing and counseling. Their clients are often facing some sort of personal crisis for which they need professional help, be it from domestic abuse, substance abuse, or child neglect.
12. Juvenile Corrections Officer: up to $86,000pa
Working in the Corrections system is not only financially rewarding, but also personally rewarding. Juvenile Corrections Officers work with juvenile offenders to ensure they are properly monitored. They act in the best interest of the state and the juvenile, providing support and counsel for the families and the courts.
13. Substance Abuse Counselor: $27,510-$38,717pa.
Working as a Substance Abuse Counselor is a difficult job, you usually work within the corrections system, dealing with people who have very difficult and often painful addictions. Counselors offer support for families of substance abusers and aim to help the abuser to recover from their addiction. A Substance Abuse Counselor often works with offenders on probation, jail inmates and parolees or the families of the abusers.
14. Court Reporter: $39,978-$68,242pa.
A Court Reporter plays a vital role in the courtroom by recording every word spoken. 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.
15. Mediator: $34,134-$90,153pa.
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. By using a Mediator, clients hope to avoid costly, and time-consuming disputes in court.
16. Law Reform Specialist: (Professor of Law salary) $91,755-$166,693pa.
These are very much academic-based careers, in which university specialists in Criminology design research studies and projects to explain patterns and trends in criminal behavior. The data and studies are used by lawmakers and educators to guide Criminal Justice policy.
17. Parole Officer: $32,623-$47,793pa.
A Parole Officer works with parolees, helping them to reintegrate into society after an early release from jail or prison. They help the parolee to find a place to live and work prior to their release and then monitor them afterwards.
18. FBI Criminologist: $89,115-$104,826pa.
Working within the FBI Academy, Criminologists teach the principles of behavioral science. They supply cutting-edge training, high-level research, and consultation in the behavioral sciences to the FBI in order to support its work in the field of law enforcement and intelligence.
19. Crime Analyst: $32,000-$66,000+pa.
Crime Analysts assist the law enforcement agencies through interpreting news reports and statistics to help catch criminals. By using statistical analysis and mapping software, they can discover crime trends, and pick up on patterns of criminal behavior.
20. Insurance Fraud Investigator: $44,000+pa.
Insurance Fraud Investigators will conduct investigations into insurance claims that are suspicious or in doubt. They seek to establish that what the claimant has declared is true, for instance stolen or damaged property or personal injury claims.
21. Criminal Profiler: $38,553-$64,246pa.
The role of a Criminal Profiler is to help law enforcement officers detect patterns of crime and criminal behavior. They create psychological profiles of criminals by examining the details of the crime and how they have been committed.
22. Lawyer: $57,966-$160,000+pa.
A Lawyer will represent a client in court. They tend to specialize in certain areas of interest to them, for example, family law or tax law. It takes a lot of studying to become a Lawyer but it can be both a personally and financially rewarding career.
23. Penologist: $26,000-$40,000pa.
A Penologist study’s everything to do with the penal system, such as the way the prison system works, how people are rehabilitated, and the theories involved. Their job is to evaluate the system, and assess its efficiency, with a view to finding new, and effective ways to help convicted criminals.
24. Corrections Officer: $38,000-$53,000pa.
A Correctional Officer will work inside detention facilities, overseeing individuals who have been arrested or convicted for criminal offenses. They maintain security within their institutions by enforcing the rules and regulations.
25. Private Security Guard: $20,847-$30,581pa.
A Private Security Guard ensures the needs and protection of their client are always put first. It could involve patrolling a facility or protecting an individual. They also have to be skilled firearms experts.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and payscale.com – Jobs in Criminology
