List Of Criminal Justice Careers (Top 19 Ultimate Careers)
If
we've learned anything from watching law & order over the past 20 years,
it's that people who choose a career in criminal truly believe that justice is
necessary to be served.
Majors
in criminal justice always want to know if there is a list of-criminal justice careers which they can choose from.
These
majors don't just do it for a six-figure salary, but also because they love
what they do.
All
criminal justice majors have the exclusive facilities to fight crime one step
at a time. Whether in a courtroom or on the street, any position in this field
is bound to be rewarding.
If you know you want to fight crime but don't know which path to take, our roundup list of criminal justice careers will help you find your true calling.
All
about criminology
Before
the list of criminal justice careers, let’s glance through criminology.
As
a subset of sociology, criminology is a scientific discipline that focuses on
all aspects of crime and at all levels of society.
This
includes the causes of crime as well as its consequences.
It
also aims to measure the effectiveness of society's responses to crime and to
suggest ways to prevent and treat criminal behaviour.
Technically, therefore, the term "criminology" refers specifically to the study of crime by social scientists known as criminologists.
Careers
in Criminal Justice
In
addition to the scientific discipline itself, careers in criminology are
perhaps most often associated with jobs in the criminal justice field.
Criminal
justice is, in essence, the practical application of criminology in society.
The
criminal justice system has three main components: law enforcement, courts, and
corrections or punishment.
Regardless
of your interests and regardless of your previous work experience, there are
career opportunities in criminology and criminal justice for almost every type
of person.
Whether you enjoy getting your hands dirty in the field, working in the lab, or prefer to work behind the scenes in research or administration, chances are you will find a fun and rewarding career somewhere in an encompassing field.
List of criminal justice careers |
List of Criminal Justice Careers: Top 19 Ultimate Careers
19. Career as a Court Clerk
Career as a court clerk |
You
can have a brilliant career as a Court clerk with a degree in criminal
justice.
If
you're looking for an entry-level position after graduation, becoming a court
clerk could be a step in the right direction.
Clerks
of the court are among the list of criminal justice careers and are
primarily responsible for maintaining court records.
They
are also responsible for performing other administrative duties, including
financial records and budget accounts.
Average salary: £35,930 (£27,200)
18. Career as a Correctional Officer
Correctional officers are on the list of criminal
justice careers you can choose from.
The
role of a correctional officer is like the ones we often see on tv and in
movies, which are based in jails and prisons.
They
are responsible for supervising and ensuring the safety of those convicted of a
crime.
No
previous experience is required, and you'll receive all the necessary training
and qualifications while on the job.
Average salary: $36,920 (£27,940)
17. Career as a Probation Officer
Probation
or parole officers are responsible
for rehabilitating offenders convicted of a crime and awaiting sentencing.
Choosing
this on the list of criminal justice careers gives you the task of assuring
that former prisoners adjust to life outside of bars.
Average salary: $41,150 (£31,150)
16. Career as Criminologist
Career as a Criminologist |
If
you're intrigued by what makes people commit a crime, criminology might be the
perfect field for you.
You
can choose from the list of criminal justice careers to be a
criminologist.
While
criminologists are primarily responsible for identifying crime trends,
they also use this information to prevent any violations of the law.
They
do this by helping officials develop law enforcement policies to reduce the
current crime rate.
To
be successful in this position, you must have a strong character and
exceptional mathematical skills.
Average salary: $42,600 (£32,250)
15. Career as a Crime Scene Investigator
Crime
scene investigators are present among
the list of criminal justice careers which you could choose for a
living.
These
are men or girls who have seen criminal evidence immediate, including scenes of
murder, burglary and domestic violence.
They
are often confronted with a gruesome environment that they must analyze to find
evidence to corroborate a case or solve a crime.
To
reach this level of your career, you'll usually need prior law enforcement
experience.
Average salary: $44,160 (£33,420)
14. Career as a Legal Assistant
Career as a legal assistant |
If
you've just graduated from law school but haven't managed to get a training
contract yet, working as a paralegal can help you get closer to your dream.
Therefore,
from this list of criminal justice careers, you can choose to be a legal
assistant.
You'll
assist lawyers daily by storing and organizing exhibits, conducting research,
and drafting legal documents and contracts.
Average salary: $46,560 (£35,240)
13. Career as a Forensic Science Technician
Forensic technicians are essential in
helping detectives solve their investigations.
Part
of your job involves collecting evidence at the crime scene.
You can spend most of your time conducting
technical and scientific analysis in laboratories.
You equally consult with other specialists and
find connections in other criminal activities.
Average salary: $48,570 (£36,760)
12.
Career as a Police Officer
You
can choose to become a police officer from the list of criminal justice
careers.
Police
officers are often known as peacemakers
on the streets, patrolling and responding to incidents.
This
job isn't easy, though; you need stamina, mental and physical strength, and a great
initiative to act quickly in extremely intense situations.
This
is a career where no two days are the same.
Average salary: $50,400 (£38,150)
Suggested: Top 10 Careers with PhD in Psychology
11. Career
as a Private Investigator
Career as a private investigator |
If
you’ve chosen a private investigator from the list of criminal
justice careers, it means you are passionate about searching for persons.
You are hired on a case-by-case basis to
investigate specific scenarios, including conducting background checks, finding
missing persons, and solving crimes by gathering information on requested
cases.
Most
private investigators do not need a bachelor's degree, but they do need a
license and decent experience in a criminal justice career.
Average salary: $50,420 (£38,170)
10. Career as a Keeper of Fish and Game
If
you consulted the list of criminal justice careers thinking that only
humans need justice, think again.
Fish
and game wardens, also known as wildlife officers, are responsible for
protecting the rights of animals and ensuring that all hunters follow proper
conservation guidelines.
They
also investigate crimes involving wildlife, assist with boat operations and
conduct water rescue operations.
Average salary: $58,570 (£44,340)
9. Career as a Fraud Investigator
Fraud investigators are hired to
determine whether or not a claim is true after an insurance company has made a
payment.
They
do this by conducting their research, analyzing evidence and interviewing all
parties involved; they then present their findings to the person who hired
them.
Average salary: $58,810 (£44,510)
8. Career as a Police Detective
Police
detectives work with police officers and
other law enforcement officials to help solve more serious crimes.
They
are usually officers who have been promoted within the force and have extensive
experience under their belt.
In
addition, they may be called to work at all hours of the day and night and must
always be on call and ready for action.
Average salary: $59,730 (£45,210)
7. Career as a Homicide Detective
Unlike
regular detectives, homicide detectives work on specific cases related
to murder.
With
this, you must determine how homicide was committed, when it was committed,
what the motive was and who committed the crime.
It
must be said that this is not an easy job and requires a lot of patience, as it
could take years to solve a single case.
Average salary: $65,000 (£49,200)
6. Careers as Judge
Judges are the moral force of any justice system and have
the heavy task of making decisive decisions.
So
if you choose from the list of criminal justice careers to become a
judge, you should be very responsible as the decision you make are difficult
ones.
To
do this, you must weigh the evidence presented to them and make impartial
judgments within the rules of the law.
Average salary: $65,550 (£49,610)
5. Career as a Security Analyst
Career as a Security Analyst |
With
the increase in terrorist attacks and data breaches around the world, the need
for technical knowledge in law enforcement has also increased.
As
a security analyst, you will be dedicated to researching the internet and
monitoring data for potential threats.
Average salary: $67,080 (£50,770)
4. Career as a Criminal Profiler
Also
known as behavioural analysts, a criminal profiler's main job is to
guide law enforcement on the specific characteristics they should look for in a
criminal.
They
do this by analyzing the behavioural and psychological patterns of offenders
and are then able to create profiles that are used in police investigations.
Average salary: $80,000 (£60,570)
3. Career as a Federal Marshal
Federal marshals are located in the United
States and are responsible for capturing fugitives, executing arrest warrants
and transporting prisoners.
They
are not hired to solve crimes or to say whether a convict is guilty or not;
their only duty is to capture and transport them to prison.
They
are, of course, among the highest-paid criminal justice professionals on the
list, with their work exposing them to consistently high risk due to their
relationships with some of the world's most dangerous criminals.
Average salary: $81,340 (£61,580)
2. Career as a Criminal Defence Attorney
Career as a Criminal Defence Attorney |
At
the heart of the list of criminal justice careers systems are
lawyers, skilled professionals who defend and prove the innocence of their
clients.
While
not as dangerous as some of the other criminal justice careers on this list, it
is one of the most important in the field, especially if a client has been
charged with a crime for which they are not guilty.
Average salary: $81,450 (£61,640)
1. Careers as a CIA Agent
Cia
agents are often found on the front lines, collecting valuable data for US policymakers and risking their lives in the process.
They
collaborate with other law enforcement agencies around the world, bringing a
broader skillset when needed.
Average salary: $81,620 (£61,790)
Indeed,
working for the criminal justice system is difficult and dangerous.
It
is a calling that few brave men will choose to answer, but it is also a calling
that comes with an immeasurable sense of purpose and accomplishment.
As
a crime fighter, it may be difficult to decide on this list of criminal
justice careers.
Do you want to be a crime fighter, too? Let us know which career is right for you in the comments section below.