Highest-paying Criminal Justice Jobs in 2023
If you don’t have enough time to read this article, we won’t keep you in suspense: the highest-paying job with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives. But, if you’re curious about the salary difference between a person with a bachelor’s degree and one with a high school diploma, you should keep reading. The contrast might surprise you.
All these details about pay ranges and salaries can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve just started your criminal justice career. For this reason, we’ve conducted exhaustive and up-to-date research to show you the highest-paying criminal justice jobs.
We’ve collected data from publicly available sources, including online job postings, governmental sources, and diverse company websites, to analyze salaries in the criminal justice system. Additionally, we’ve compared this information with the statistics from the . You can use this roadmap to take the next big step to moving forward in your career.
The Rising Popularity of Criminal Justice
Impact of Education on Criminal Justice Salary
What is the Average Salary for a Criminal Justice Major in 2023?
Highest-Paying Salaries With a Criminal Justice Degree
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Salary
- Compliance Officers’ Salary
- Detectives’ and Criminal Investigators’ Salary
- Police Officers’ Salary
- Paralegals’ and Legal Assistants’ Salary
- Correctional Officers’ and Bailiffs’ Salary
Are Criminal Justice Degrees Worth It?
The Rising Popularity of Criminal Justice
Pop culture has played a surprisingly significant role in attracting interested students to law enforcement work. Dr. Egbert Zavala was one of them. He decided to pursue a career in criminal justice after growing up watching the show CHiPs. Today he’s Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at ÀÇÓÑÊÓƵ (UTEP).
Interest in this field extends beyond the television series; there is also a growing need for many law enforcement positions across the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the U.S. between 2022 and 2032. These jobs span local, state, and federal agencies, and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice can position you among the most competitive candidates.
So, let’s look at the real-life income of the law enforcement careers portrayed on popular TV shows. While they aren’t necessarily accurate, they do represent real jobs that make up very fulfilling careers. If you’ve ever wanted to know how much Special Agent Gibbs on NCIS would make in real life, read on.
Impact of Education on Criminal Justice Salary
Education plays a significant role in determining salary levels. Higher-ranking positions, such as supervisory, detective, or investigator, and managerial roles, often have educational requirements.
For entry-level jobs, having a degree in criminal justice can make you a more competitive candidate. Individuals with advanced degrees may have an advantage in the selection process. If you want to become a police officer, for example, having a high school diploma will be enough, but you’ll need a bachelor’s degree for higher pay and career advancement.
Some agencies also offer salary differentials for employees with higher levels of education. This implies step increases, bonuses, or promotions based on educational accomplishments.
What is the Average Salary for a Criminal Justice Major in 2023?
The average criminal justice salary with a bachelor’s degree in the US is $66,570 as of November 2023, and the median hourly wage for criminal justice jobs is $33.
You should know that there are diverse types of criminal justice careers: police officers, detectives, investigators or even bailiffs. After obtaining your degree, you can find a variety of options. However, some jobs receive higher pay than others. Either way, as you’ll see in this article, the more you specialize in your profession, the more you earn.
Consider that salaries in the criminal justice field could change depending on diverse factors—for instance, the state where you live. While a police officer in Texas could make $63,000 a year, a police officer's average annual compensation in Los Angeles can be $84,000. Likewise, some criminal justice degree jobs can receive fringe benefits and additional bonuses besides the regular paycheck.
Highest-Paying Salaries With a Criminal Justice Degree
As you can see on the list below, we’ve included high-paying jobs with only a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. We haven’t considered other academic levels, graduate programs, specialization courses, or certificates. For example, although criminal justice could be the first step to becoming a lawyer, you still need a Juris Doctor's degree to find a job in this field. That’s why we’ve excluded lawyers and judges from the list.
You’ll probably notice that having a bachelor’s degree makes a substantial difference. In some cases, the salary variation could be 68% compared to a high school diploma. As we said before, the further you go in your studies, the higher your pay. In fact, many job listings reviewed in this study require a bachelor’s to apply.
So, let’s dig into it and see the list of criminal justice salaries.
1. First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Salary
Bachelor's Degree Annual Salary: $103,700
Hourly wage: $49.85
The highest-paying criminal justice job with a bachelor’s degree is First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives, also known as police sergeant or lieutenant. This isn’t entry-level, so you would likely need a bachelor’s degree to find a well-paid job. As first-line supervisors play a critical role in law enforcement organizations, this area of criminal justice demands years of training and experience to earn a high salary.
First-line supervisors are responsible for leading teams, facilitating training programs, and staying updated on changes in the most recent regulations.
2. Compliance Officers’ Salary
Bachelor's Degree Annual Salary: $78,200
Hourly wage: $38.58
Compliance officers with a bachelor’s degree earn 53% more than those with just a high school diploma. A bachelor’s in criminal justice is a valuable starting point for compliance officers, but acquiring relevant certifications can also help increase your salary. Some of the best-known in the industry are (CRCM) or (CCEP).
Compliance officers work for industries such as energy, technology, finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and many more. They develop strategies and procedures to mitigate risks and guarantee that organizations comply with regulations and international standards.
3. Detectives’ and Criminal Investigators’ Salary
Bachelor's Degree Annual Salary: $76,700
Hourly wage: $41.29
While a high school diploma may be the minimum requirement for detectives and criminal investigators, your salary could increase if you get a bachelor’s in criminal justice. As you can see in the table above, the difference is 26%.
Detectives and criminal investigators work solving and investigating crimes. They collect evidence and create reports on crime scenes to bring criminals to justice.
4. Police Officers’ Salary
Bachelor's Degree Annual Salary: $65,400
Hourly wage: $32.68
While a bachelor’s degree is not always a requirement to become a police officer, it becomes crucial for career advancement. According to our research, having a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice could result in a 26% higher salary. In some states, additional tiered retention bonuses are also available. For instance, rewards officers who complete more than twelve months of full-time employment.
Law enforcement workers are responsible for maintaining public order, preventing crimes, and reacting to emergencies.
5. Paralegals’ and Legal Assistants’ Salary
Bachelor's Degree Annual Salary: $60,500
Hourly wage: $33.66
Employees occasionally hire individuals with a high school degree to start a career as a paralegal and legal assistant. But this isn’t a typical case because it’s a competitive profession, so you’ll need to stand out. For this reason, a bachelor’s in criminal justice will be an advantage if you want to progress in more senior roles and have a well-paid salary. The earning income difference between a bachelor’s degree and a high school is 31%.
Paralegals assist lawyers in conducting legal research, organizing files and documentation, and preparing cases.
6. Correctional Officers’ and Bailiffs’ Salary
Bachelor's Degree Annual Salary: $55,700
Hourly wage: $26,65
With a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you could work in federal prisons and corrections, where the median annual salary is 19% higher than that for a high school diploma. Alternatively, entry-level positions in probation and parole departments are accessible with just a high school degree, although the salary would be significantly lower.
Correctional Officers monitor prison activities and behavior to guarantee order and security. On the other hand, bailiffs are responsible for maintaining safety and legal proceedings in the courtroom.
Are Criminal Justice Degrees Worth It?
Beyond the financial stability that criminal justice jobs offer, it could be personally rewarding. While contributing to the community, you are simultaneously building a well-paying career. As demonstrated in this study, criminal justice encompasses different professions. This diversity allows you to find a niche that aligns with your skills, interests, and passion for serving justice.
On the other hand, starting your career in 2023 is more accessible than ever because you can study at your own pace from anywhere in the world. Nowadays, flexibility is on your side, and online degree programs have opened doors in criminal justice.
One of the unique aspects of the UTEP’s online criminal justice bachelor’s is how students benefit as they learn from a cross-disciplinary approach in three main areas of criminal justice:
- Police – Law enforcement officers, detectives
- Court System – Law school trajectory
- Correctional System - Detention Officer, Parole or Probation Officer
If you pursue a criminal justice career, it is crucial to understand how these areas work together. At UTEP, students take classes in all three areas to understand how to navigate other fields outside their expertise.
Are you curious about immersing yourself in the dynamic world of criminal justice?
Discover how to embark on your journey with UTEP’s online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.
