Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 247 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 251 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 252 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 267 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 255 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $60,750 | $29.21 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $60,081 | $28.89 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $59,163 | $28.44 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $57,730 | $27.75 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $56,955 | $27.38 | +1.4% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 85 | 12% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 50 | 8% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 105 | 6% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 388 | 5% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 307 | 5% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 200 | 5% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 87 | 5% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 46 | 5% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 34 | 5% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 789 | 4% |
| 11 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 156 | 4% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 131 | 4% |
| 13 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 119 | 4% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 39 | 4% |
| 15 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 766 | 3% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 336 | 3% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 251 | 3% |
| 18 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 181 | 3% |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 164 | 3% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 43 | 3% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Springs | 2 | 0% | $69,647 |
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Georgia College and State University
North Carolina State University
Metropolitan State University
Sam Houston State University
University of Central Missouri
Ferrum College
Saint Peter's University
Skidmore College
Worcester State University

Newberry College

Quinnipiac University

Plymouth State University
Meredith College
Arizona State University
Rick Mulvihill M. Sc.: People skills! All positions in the Criminal Justice field work with people, usually at the worst moment in their life. Writing skills! All positions require you to document your actions. Those documents could be the basis of a Supreme Court case.
Rick Mulvihill M. Sc.: Start early! Unlike many professions, most positions in the Criminal Justice field are with government agencies and the hiring process can take months and even years.
Rick Mulvihill M. Sc.: Education! The higher your level of education, the more positions you may be eligible for and the higher the starting salary. An example from Federal law enforcement is that a candidate with a B.A. starts at GS 7 while with a M.A. they would start at GS 9.
Alex Holte PhD: My advice for someone new to the field of academia is to learn time management skills early and learn what type of service work you find interesting and would like to contribute to. From there, learn how to say “no” to opportunities that may not align with your goals as well. I feel a lot of new professors tend to find the need to be involved in everything, which can result in burning out later in their career.
Alex Holte PhD: When you are starting out at any career, it is important to negotiate your salary. Many candidates feel that they have to accept their first offer, but in reality, at many jobs, there is some room for negotiation. Be mindful however, to not request a salary that is much higher than what is being offered as they may feel like a compromise would not be possible and move on to the next candidate.
The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Criminal Justice And Corrections
Sherah Basham Ph.D.: Criminal justice is a vast field; however, there are several areas that graduates can focus on as they enter the workforce: 1. Ethics - Criminal justice work can be challenging. Staying grounded in one's values and principles while maintaining a professional demeanor is crucial to making good decisions and personal peace. 2. Mentorship - Find a mentor who can provide guidance as you navigate your vocation. Keep in mind this may or may not be someone in your particular office. Mentors can be found at work or through professional networking. Associations and professional platforms provide connections to experienced colleagues who can help identify career opportunities, provide up-to-date information on the field, and offer support throughout one's career.
Sherah Basham Ph.D.: 1. Specialized career paths - Criminal justice salaries will vary significantly by level (federal vs local), location, and specialty. Developing specific skills such as cybercrime investigations, forensic or crime scene investigations, data analysis, or speaking a foreign language can leverage higher salaries for specialized positions. 2. Education - Master's degrees, specialized certificates, and professional training can increase earning potential. Education can assist with increasing base salaries or bonuses. It can also help with the placement and selection of specific roles. 3. Explore non-traditional roles - Consider career opportunities outside of traditional law enforcement or corrections agencies. Private security firms, corporations, research institutions, and consulting firms can offer competitive salaries in criminal justice.
Sherah Basham Ph.D.: 1. Communication Skills - regardless of the type of criminal justice job, all will require the ability to communicate effectively. Written communication is important in writing reports, case management, and correspondence. The key is learning to be clear, concise, and accurate. Verbal communication is crucial in daily interactions with the public, colleagues, and supervisors. In many positions, one may encounter a variety of people daily - talking to victims, assisting those in need, testifying in court, or sharing information with public leaders. Quality communication is related to Cultural Competency, or the ability to interact and understand people with diverse backgrounds. The ability to communicate and build trust with others regardless of their position or experiences is essential. 2. Critical Thinking - Criminal justice issues are complex; therefore, analyzing situations, ascertaining facts, identifying key details, and developing effective solutions is vital. 3. Technology and Data Literacy - Technology is rapidly evolving. Therefore, familiarity with tools, emerging resources, and tools will be beneficial. Along those lines, the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data from various sources will be crucial for all types of criminal justice work: investigations, crime prevention, report development, and resource allocation.
Georgia College and State University
Criminal Justice And Corrections
Matheson Sanchez Ph.D.: Without a doubt, technological literacy is going to be increasingly important. Many believe that the criminal justice system is made up of “smart people” and “action people,” where the former sit in the agency headquarters and type away on computers, while the latter go out in the field and make contact with the community. This could not be further from the truth. Everyone working in all facets of the system are being asked and expected to have a working grasp on how to utilize technology to accomplish a mission. At the very least, those more action-oriented people need to be able to hold effective conversations with their intelligence community personnel—much of which will revolve around the use of artificial intelligence via facial recognition, data scraping software, and predictive technologies.
Matheson Sanchez Ph.D.: Many aspiring criminal justice professionals enter the field believing their career will be a linear, clearly defined path. I always encourage my students to enter the field with an open mind. There will be all types of people filling all types of positions. Many of those positions will have been unknown to those students until they get their foot in the door and begin working. New criminal justice system actors will likely find themselves becoming more familiar with positions that interest them greatly. It’s important not to be afraid to take a leap, make a change, and find the niche where you best fit. The CJ system is a complex, interwoven web of different jobs. Keep your eyes open and take note when one catches your eye. Job satisfaction is key for a long, healthy, enjoyable career in the CJ system.
Matheson Sanchez Ph.D.: This is a tricky question, because many salaries in the criminal justice system are set by legislative budgetary decisions. In other words, a supervisor usually has no power to offer any incentivizing packages or increased salary. However, it's not all bad news. More than ever before, many areas in the CJ system are desperate for qualified applicants to fill their ranks. This means that salaries are going up just about everywhere. Furthermore, students should consider broadening their job search to include a nation-wide scope. It can at times be worth it to relocate for a substantially higher salary. Lastly, CJ professionals should consider an advanced degree in the field, such as the top-ranked MSCJ program at Georgia College & State University. This is one of the most effective ways to increase salary and long-term earning potential in the CJ system.
Joshua Adams Ph.D., CFE: One skill that has always been important in the field of criminology and criminal justice is the ability to work through conflict. In the next 3-5 years, I see possessing the ability to work through conflict or disagreements to find a resolution with your co-workers vital. A second skill that I believe will be more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years is the ability to leverage the use of artificial intelligence (AI) without totally relying on it to do your job for you. I think that we will see many new innovative criminal justice technologies employing AI in the future, and it will be crucial that any practitioners in the field and protectors of society feel comfortable leveraging this technology.
Joshua Adams Ph.D., CFE: Keep in mind that salary is usually commensurate with your experience. That being said, do not expect to be wealthy in your first years in your career. You can maximize your salary potential when starting your career in your field by not being afraid to seek overtime opportunities and by having advanced training and/or education. Most local, city, and state municipalities are on fixed budgets, and most public service career opportunities at this level are very transparent of a salary range when they post job announcements. Typically, as you advance in rank, you advance into subsequent brackets of pay ranges. Some organizations provide extra incentives for bachelor’s-level or higher education, but some do not. This leaves the preferred option of maximizing salary, which is working overtime or working a part-time position somewhere else using your same skills (moonlighting) if your agency allows outside employment.
Joshua Adams Ph.D., CFE: There are two main pieces of advice that I would give to a graduate beginning their career in the field of criminal justice. First, think of everything you would like to accomplish by the time your new career is ending and develop a plan to accomplish your goals during your tenure. Oftentimes, we underestimate how fast time goes, and due to the fast-paced nature of public service, you will have 10 or more years of service before you know it. Finally, develop your network of trusted friends and advisors early. You will need to rely on these friends and advisors when you have bad days because you will be involved in the best days of citizen’s lives and the worse days of citizen’s lives, so you will need to constantly perform self-reflection so that your positivity continues to permeate throughout the community.
Jonathan Varnado: Start gaining experience. In criminal justice, we often get students who are interested in becoming FBI agents, Secret Service, DEA, etc. While we do see students go straight into these agencies after graduation, sometimes they have to wait for an opening with their ideal agency. In the meantime, they could start gaining valuable experience with other agencies. It's important to understand that their dream career won't fall into their lap. They should actively be working towards meeting and exceeding the preferred qualifications for the career they desire. This also may mean obtaining an advanced degree, learning more skills, or completing an internship. In fact, I normally tell incoming freshmen that they should start looking at job postings well before graduating.
Jonathan Varnado: We are seeing a lot of excitement, fear, and uncertainty around the rise and integration of Artificial Intelligence in the workforce. But what will not change, and perhaps will be even more important, are critical thinking and interpersonal communication skills. In the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, we really try to go beyond just learning the curriculum. We also try to foster empathy and understanding, so that our students are well-equipped to serve the needs of a diverse society.
Jonathan Varnado: I think one thing that we tend to forget is that a police officer is rarely just 'a police officer.' They will take on community projects. They will teach classes. They may work with kids as a resource officer. The same goes for any career in criminal justice. So it is important to build other skills that make you more valuable to your agency, and the community at-large. Understanding the broad nature of your career is the first step; then it's important to evaluate your own strengths, and then see how you can apply these in your career.
Jason Dobrow PhD: Simply put, technology. We are already seeing technological advances in the field ranging from Body Cameras to a lot of the great work going on with Cyber Security. That should only increase in the next 3 to 5 years. Being comfortable with technology and being willing to adapt and learn is crucial to any field in the current time, Criminal Justice being no exception. The increasing use of AI is also interesting and something that all practitioners should familiarize themselves with.
Jason Dobrow PhD: The general advice I would give for graduates beginning their careers in the fields of Criminal Justice is to be flexible. Similar to any field, the job market for Criminal Justice is competitive. Certainly, there are opportunities available in many areas in and related to the field but it's not typically realistic to get one's dream job right away. Being flexible allows one to gain some experience as well as gain skills that can ultimately lead to one's desired career in the field.
Jason Dobrow PhD: See the first answer. Flexibility is one of the best ways to maximize salary potential in the field. If a job is hard to fill (which many jobs in Criminal Justice are) there might be a signing bonus. Additionally at times, there is overtime pay (holidays, non-peak hours, etc.). Being flexible and taking undesired shifts or even a job that might be hard to fill could result in increased earnings. Additionally, specific skills. Technological skills are important and could help maximize future earnings. Finally, being bilingual. There are jobs that look for people who speak more than one language and at times those who possess these language skills often get paid more.
Jane Kuandre: Networking is crucial for career advancement in academia as it allows individuals to establish collaborations, gain access to resources, and stay updated on the latest research trends.
Heather Alaniz-Salas Ph.D: Good afternoon, Alex, I trust this email finds you well. I have been informed by Dr. Boisvert about your recent inquiry regarding obtaining information on preparing for a career in criminal justice from a faculty member at SHSU. With my extensive experience teaching within the college for four years and my recent appointment as the Director of Internship and Career Services in the field of criminal justice at SHSU, I am more than willing to provide valuable insights and guidance on this matter.
Heather Alaniz-Salas Ph.D: Please let me know a convenient time for you to discuss further or if you have any specific questions that I can address.
Heather Alaniz-Salas Ph.D: I trust this email finds you well. I have been informed by Dr. Boisvert about your recent inquiry regarding obtaining information on preparing for a career in criminal justice from a faculty member at SHSU. With my extensive experience teaching within the college for four years and my recent appointment as the Director of Internship and Career Services in the field of criminal justice at SHSU, I am more than willing to provide valuable insights and guidance on this matter.
University of Central Missouri
Criminal Justice And Corrections
Gregg Etter: Most criminal justice jobs are civil service. (except lawyers which require law school) My best advice to new applicants is to know what you are doing. Look up the agency’s website and look at what they do and their hiring process. Contact a recruiter and get an information packet. Look at their hiring requirements. Is there a written exam? If so, purchase a study guide. Practicing the sample tests will raise your score 10-15%. Is there a physical agility test? Make sure you can meet or exceed the physical requirements. Be mobile, apply everywhere. If you put all your eggs in one basket and apply to a single agency, you may be very disappointed. Make sure your application is immaculate. Know all the names, addresses, e-mails and telephone numbers of all current and former employers, as well as all references. Criminal justice work is detail work. A sloppy application will get rejected.
Gregg Etter: Civil service jobs pay rates are set by the government that you work for. Pay raises are usually based on some type of seniority. However, promotions usually come with a pay raise. Learn new skills and make yourself promotable. The more you learn often works out to the more you earn.
Gregg Etter: Skills that are valuable in this field include critical thinking, problem-solving, and puzzle-solving (You have to figure out who did it and be able to prove it.) Computer skills are becoming more and more important. Take every in-service training class on how to do technical things that is offered and your administration will let you go to. People skills have always been important and are becoming more so each day. De-escalation is much better than force. Learn these skills.
Ferrum College
Criminal Justice And Corrections
Carl Franklin JD, PhD: The best way to maximize salary potential is through higher education and training. One then uses these new skills to move into steadily improving tracks of supervision and management.
Carl Franklin JD, PhD: Be flexible and look for the best opportunity. It is rare that our careers take the precise path we envision early on. Most will tell you that their careers ended in a very different place. Those who are happiest, though, will have seized upon the best opportunities and adapted to the work available. Do this and you improve your chances of having a long and prosperous career.
Carl Franklin JD, PhD: Until a decade ago, language skills in most local and state law enforcement were a luxury to have, but as our population rapidly changes, these skills are becoming more mainstream and necessary. Start to build language skills in the areas that make the most sense for your geographic area. Those skills will make you a better criminal justice professional. In addition, returning to the behavioral sciences for a strong foundation in criminal justice skills is once again a requirement to become a true professional in the field. Understanding culture, social organization, psychology, criminology, and many other disciplines improves the effectiveness of criminal justice professionals at all levels. This return to the roots of the original criminal justice programs has created a full-circle balance from those times when behavioral sciences were abandoned in favor of business, STEM, and related disciplines. The simple truth is that we need to understand people more often than how a computer works.
Beth Adubato: Be prepared. If you are trying to go into the police academy, start your physical training months ahead. The physical tests are demanding and you cannot turn yourself into a push-up machine overnight. Do well in school--do not think that because you are going to be a police officer, you will never have to write or speak in front of groups! You will be writing reports that will go to prosecutors; you need to write clearly. You will be testifying in front of a grand jury; take advantage of public speaking in your courses. Finally, be curious--look to the extra programs and certificates you can earn. We call these stackables and stackables make you marketable.
Beth Adubato: Make sure your path includes options--for example, if you want to continue your education but you financially need to enter the workforce, pick a place that reimburses for master's classes. Some of our students go into law enforcement and if there is a choice, we suggest picking a municipality that pays for their classes. If a student wants to go to law school and they have not been accepted by this point in the spring semester, we usually encourage them to work, save money, and take an LSAT prep course. We also guide them to diversify their educational backgrounds. We encourage them to take their criminal justice bachelor's degree and maybe do a master's degree in public administration, for example. This makes you far more marketable to an employer. Some students want to work as counselors in the criminal justice system, so we encourage them to go for an MSW. Locally, we have some universities that have a CJ master's/MSW and likewise, the CJ/MPA. Personally, I have a master's in public affairs and politics, along with my CJ graduate degrees. I felt that it gave me a bigger overview of the CJ system.
Beth Adubato: We are going to see some changes in the way prisons work and how they are physically designed. Again, this requires a matching of planning/design skills and knowledge of the criminal justice system. Another area of growth is cybercrime--as fast as we can solve some of the cyber crimes, criminals are finding ways to get around them. Policing is changing--focusing on more equity in the system, while maintaining order. We hear from students in police academies right now that the focus is on community prevention, so forward-thinking young people will have an advantage if they can innovate.
Skidmore College
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
Aurelie Matheron: Leadership: you will be in positions of leading a program/department. Learn from current chairs by observing their own skills during meetings and moments of decision. Collaboration: develop interpersonal and interprofessional relationships that will allow you to build collaborative projects (interdepartmental courses, for instance).
Aurelie Matheron: Do some research online about how much someone earns at your stage of the career. If there is a significant gap, point out (diplomatically) that, because of your extensive experience in XYZ, you would like to get a X% increase in your salary. Be reasonable: if you want a 3% increase, ask for 5% (not 10% or more). Justify your negotiation: why should they pay me more? What experience can I show them to justify my request? If you have a higher offer from another place, you can say that “I have received another generous offer and would like to know about the possibility for matching that offer.” Salary is not the only thing you can negotiate: office space, computer/laptop, sabbaticals, course release, etc. Again, be reasonable: if you think you are entitled to XYZ requests, you also have to show why.
Aimée Delaney Ph.D.: The best way to increase salary and promotion potential is through higher education. Any college degree makes for a more desirable candidate. The skills acquired, in addition to knowledge, are highly sought attributes from most employers (e.g., critical thinking skills, proficient writing abilities). Many employers require some level of post-secondary education for initial hire as well as many supervisory positions. If a post-secondary degree is not necessary for a specific job, a college degree will allow a competitive edge and increase the chances for a promotion into a higher rank (and therefore increasing salary potential long term).
Aimée Delaney Ph.D.: The most important skill for a career in criminal justice is interpersonal relations. Most positions within criminal justice require face to face interaction with other people. Criminal justice professionals interact with the public on a daily basis, and potential candidates for jobs need to be comfortable talking with people. This includes interactions with strangers. Learn to become comfortable interacting with anyone, in any situation. Additionally, criminal justice professionals need to have proficient writing skills. The criminal justice field requires report writing, either formal or informal. Clarity, detail-orientation, and succinctness are necessary skills to develop before gaining employment within the criminal justice field. Overall communication skills, inclusive of verbal and non-verbal, is necessary when working with the public.
Aimée Delaney Ph.D.: Early criminal justice professionals need to learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Professionals in the criminal justice field face the unknown on a daily basis. It is important to learn to recognize our fears, anxieties, and discomfort so we can begin the process of leaning into these trepidations. The criminal justice field is not for the faint of heart. Fortunately, we often work with a team of other professionals. Find a mentor, particularly someone who has different characteristics. Diversify your support network, and expand your mindset.

Newberry College
Department of Social and Behavioral Science
Dr. Chris Sharp: For instructors, I look for those that have not only been in the field in some capacity but have taken the theory learned in the classroom and found ways to apply it. I want to know what innovative things they have done in their department (Crisis Intervention Team, De-escalation, Mental Health Training, Peer Mentoring, etc.). Importantly, did they do something beyond "just their job"? Also, what are the extracurriculars? You can tell a lot about a person about where they focus their free time. If their focus is on family, civic organizations, church, etc., it shows a commitment to a stable community, starting with the family.
Dr. Chris Sharp: The ability to connect with people where they are. Ask them questions, find out something about them, and then relate something similar to you to show that common bond. Don't be afraid to open yourself up and become vulnerable; none of us are a rock. Once you make the connection, find what motivates them or gains compliance, and use that to get them to do what you need them to do. If you're a leader, that may mean initiating change. If you're a line officer, that may mean talking someone into handcuffs instead of a takedown. As a fugitive recovery officer with over 1,000 arrests in 3.5 years, I can count on one hand the number of physical altercations I had. It starts with establishing mutual respect, even to those that may not have earned it yet. Learn a foreign language. You never know when you will need it, especially in a high tourist area.
Dr. Chris Sharp: Know how to write succinctly, clearly, and well. Your file will end up in court and will reflect you. The last thing you want to do is seem unsure, uneducated, or incompetent because you don't know how to write.
Dr. Chris Sharp: Knowing strategic planning, budgeting, budget execution, and public policy analysis will give you the higher-level skills you need to move up in your career. There are certification programs out there. Find them and get certified. Also, understand human resources; not just managing people but leading people. This will make you a force in your organization.

Quinnipiac University
School of Law
Carolyn Wilkes Kaas: -Practical experience in criminal cases
-Trial practice skills
-Negotiation skills
-Interviewing and counseling skills
Carolyn Wilkes Kaas: -Legal Counseling
-Empathy
-Listening
-Respect
-Ability to discuss bad news with clients
-Compassion
Carolyn Wilkes Kaas: -Negotiation
-Knowledge of Evidence
-Knowledge of Crim procedure
-Creativity and Persuasion-oral and visual
-Fact-finding
-Analysis
-Research and legal writing
-Trial skills - direct and cross-examination
-Oral argument
Carolyn Wilkes Kaas: -Competence and diligence
-The interpersonal side - caring about clients

Plymouth State University
Criminal Justice Department
Mark Fischler: The ability to see the world from an interdisciplinary perspective. The world is complex.
Mark Fischler: Emotional intelligence is key. Must be able to relate with others and make connections, or you will not be successful.
Mark Fischler: The ability to write clearly and concisely. To be successful, one must communicate through the written word no matter what job one takes in the criminal justice field.
Mark Fischler: The ability to speak multiple languages. The world is getting smaller in the sense that we can connect with people all over the world. To have a skillset to speak another language will distinguish you from the rest.
Bianca Harris: Public speaking, strategic planning, and management skills.
Bianca Harris: Along with experience in at least one aspect of Criminal Justice, the skills of a Criminal Justice instructor that stand out surround communication, attention to detail, above-average writing, logical thinking, strategic planning, training in trauma and substance use disorder, multi-lingual, and previous supervisory experience.
Bianca Harris: Communication, integrity, and work ethic are the most important.
Bianca Harris: Strategic planning, management, public speaking, Microsoft Suite, and email communication are the most important.
Arizona State University
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Ray English: The most important soft skill is fitting the company's culture you want to work for. People want to hire people that fit their culture.
Ray English: The skills that stand out will depend on the student's focus. The legal studies degree is broad, with many programs offering concentrations. Thus, a student will need to determine a focus and learn about the skills relevant to the area. Nevertheless, a general skill is the ability to read and understand legal documents and laws.
Ray English: The most important technical skills are the ability to write and to use the latest office software.
Ray English: The ability to identify issues and develop solutions is incredibly important. One of the benefits of securing a legal studies degree is to gain insight into the problem-solving process used by legal professionals.