Find out What Criminology Jobs Pay

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By Timothy Roufa
Updated July 03, 2017

If you ask most people who work in criminal justice and criminology careers why they do what
they do, they'll probably tell you that they want to help people. They wanted to serve their
communities. They want to make a difference.

These are all laudable goals, but there are even more reasons to become a police officer or work
in another criminology career. Altruism certainly plays a role, but earning a decent living doesn't
hurt either. If you're like most people, the prospect of making money influences your career
choice as much as anything else.

Here's a list of some jobs in criminology and criminal justice and what they pay. These are
median or average salaries based on national averages as of 2015, the last year for which
comprehensive statistics are available. They can vary by geographic location, and you can
usually earn more sometimes significantly more after you've developed more experience and
expertise.

15
Corrections Officers - About $42,000
Don Hammond/Getty Images

Corrections officers work in jails and prisons to ensure the safety of personnel, visitors and
the inmates they supervise. They regularly inspect the cells or living quarters of inmates and they
keep the peace among them often a divergent cross-section of individuals with different
backgrounds, needs, and idiosyncrasies. More

14
Fish and Game Wardens - About $55,000
David McNew/Getty Images

Fish and game wardens are conservation officers. Their primary focus is enforcing laws that
relate to conservation and environmental protection. Fish and game wardens perform the
combined functions of marine patrol officers and wildlife officers. They deal with hunters,
boaters, fishers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and they work to make sure that wildlife and
woodlands are safe for all to enjoy.

13
Forensic Science Technicians - About $56,000
sanjeri/Getty Images

Forensic science technicians work in laboratories and at crime scenes. They assist police officers,
detectives and special agents with the collection and analysis of evidence. Forensic scientists are
often non-sworn technicians who serve vital functions in the crime-solving process. The job
classification includes specializations such as bloodstain pattern analysts and forensic ballistic
experts.More

12
Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs - About $58,000
UpperCut Images/Getty Images

Police officers are on the front lines of crime fighting strategy. Along with sheriffs' deputies,
they patrol the streets of their communities and respond to calls for service. A day in the life of a
police officer can include assisting in the investigation of minor crimes, traffic crash
investigations, traffic stops and responding to fights and instances of domestic violence. Officers
typically perform shift work and are called to perform a large and diverse variety of job
functions. More

11
Fire Investigators - About $60,000
Tom Carter/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images

Fire investigators work for local fire and sheriffs' departments and fire marshals' offices. They
look into suspicious fires and conduct arson investigations. Fire investigators are specially-
trained agents and have investigative and law enforcement powers. They respond to fire scenes,
prepare warrants, write reports and can make arrests based on their findings. More

10
Forensic Accountants and Financial Examiners - About
$65,000
Steve Weinrebe/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images

Forensic accountants are financial experts with an eye for detail. They investigate financial
crimes such as tax evasion, money laundering, embezzlement and fraud. Forensic accountants
are certified public accountants who provide their services in furtherance of enforcing the law.
They may work for public law enforcement agencies or private investigative firms,
providing information and advice to courts regarding both criminal investigations and financial
analysis for civil damages and liability cases. Forensic accountants in the public sector typically
average around $65,000 a year, but those who work in the private sector, such as by providing
services to attorneys, can earn considerably more.More

9
Criminologists and Sociologists - About $69,000
Hero Images/Getty Images

Criminologists work in a variety of settings, including public and private think tanks,
universities, local governments and state legislatures. Criminologists study the effects, causes,
and consequences of criminal activity and deviant behavior. They advise police departments and
governments on best practices relating to criminology and crime prevention. Salaries can begin
as low as $30,000 but usually increase to a respectable average of about $69,000 within a few
years.More

8
Police Detectives and Investigators - About $70,000
Tim Roufa

Police detectives work with patrol officers and other law enforcement personnel to solve more
serious or complicated crimes and strings of cases. Detectives start out as police officers and
either promote or transfer into the investigative division or bureau. Detectives usually work
during normal business hours, but they may be called out at any hour of the day or night. More

7
Immigrations and Customs Inspectors - About $70,000
James Leynse/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images

Customs inspectors and immigrations officers include members of the United States Border
Patrol and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They work to enforce laws
regarding entry into the U.S. and to keep potentially dangerous individuals, materials, weapons
and drugs from entering the country.

6
Police Identification and Records Officers - About $70,000
Snap Decision/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images

Sworn police officers often serve as crime scene technicians, doing double duty as lab techs and
crime scene investigators. Police identification and records officers respond to crime scenes,
identify and collect evidence such as fingerprints, and perform necessary analyses. They work
closely with police detectives to solve crimes and ensure convictions.

5
College Professor - About $71,000
Hill Street Studios/Tobin Rogers/Blend Images/Getty Images

College professors in criminal justice, criminology and sociology provide instruction for students
looking to earn 2- or 4-year degrees. They most often work in classrooms, but they may also find
themselves working out of an office as the popularity of distance learning programs increases.
College professors must typically have at least a master's degree in criminology or criminal
justice to find long-term employment in this field. Establishing tenure can increase a professor's
salary considerably.

4
Federal Special Agents - About $77,000
f8 Imaging/Contributor/Getty Images

Special agents most often work for investigative agencies and include jobs such as FBI
agents, NCIS agents, DEA agents, ICE agents and Secret Service agents. Although some agents
may work for state agencies, special agent jobs are typically found in federal law enforcement
careers. Agents are specially-trained investigators and specialize in the detection and
investigation of a variety of crimes.

3
Forensic Psychologists - About $79,000
Smith Collection/Getty Images

Forensic psychologists apply their knowledge of human behavior to legal services and law
enforcement functions. The field of forensic psychology has a number of diverse specializations
and includes jobs such as jury consultants, victim and prisoner counseling, suspect and defendant
evaluations and criminal profiling, so the pay scale can cover a wide range. Forensic
psychologists must typically hold advanced degrees in psychology and other social sciences to
find well-paying work. Recent graduates earn less, while those with significant experience and
those who work in the private sector rather than for the government can easily earn up to an
average of about $123,000 annually. More

2
Lawyers - About $117,000
Romilly Lockyer/Getty Images

This is one of those careers where the pay can vary considerably depending on what area of law
you specialize in and particularly who you work for. Lawyers and attorneys work in a variety of
specializations and sectors.

Within the criminal justice and criminology fields, they most often serve as prosecutors
and defense attorneys, but they might also work for legal aid societies and as public defenders.
Lawyers present cases against suspects when they work for the state, or they may defend clients
against charges leveled against them. The highest paying jobs are found in private firms as
defense attorneys. The top 10 percent of lawyers earn an average of about $187,000, according to
the American Bar Association, while those employed by state governments conceivably earn
about $83,000, but those who work for legal aid, helping the indigent with their legal problems,
can earn even less.
 1
Judges and Magistrates - About $158,000

Paul Bradbury/Getty Images

Judges and magistrates are responsible for ensuring due process in the courtroom and
beyond. They preside over trials and hearings and render decisions and judgments that have far-
reaching effects across the entire criminal justice system. They oversee sentences for convicted
criminals and determine if probable cause exists to issue warrants, to hold prisoners or to allow
evidence to be heard in court. Although it's not technically a requirement in most
jurisdictions, judges often begin their careers as attorneys. They may be appointed or elected to
their positions depending on state and local law. More