Criminal Justice Career Paths You Need To Know About

Forget the courtroom dramas and action scenes you see on TV. The field of criminal justice is way bigger and a lot more fascinating than what you see in your favorite detective show. If you're thinking about building a future here, you'll find that criminal justice career options are anything but one-size-fits-all. Here’s a quick look at five of the most common choices:

• Police Officer
• Correctional Officer
• Forensic Science Technician
• Probation Officer
• Criminal Lawyer

By the end of this article, you'll know a lot about what each role requires and what salary you should expect once you're in.

Preparing for a career in the criminal justice system can be truly overwhelming, so EssayHub’s paper writing service is always in your corner whenever you feel like your deadlines are getting too much to handle. 

20 Career Paths in Criminal Justice

The criminal justice system doesn’t run on its own. It depends on thousands of people on the front lines and behind the scenes, all working toward the same goal - protecting the community. There's no shortage of career options to choose from if you're thinking about stepping into this field. 

Let’s talk about 20 career options in the criminal justice field that could be your next move:

Police Officer

• Education Requirement: High school diploma or equivalent; some agencies prefer college coursework
• Median Salary: $61,136 per year

Police officers are the ones you see out there every day, who keep communities safe and make sure the rules we all live by actually mean something. They step in during emergencies and investigate crimes when things go wrong. They’re often the first face of the system people meet, and the steady hand that keeps things from spinning out of control.

Correctional Officer

• Education Requirement: High school diploma or equivalent; training academy required
• Median Salary: $50,130 per year

Correctional officers do a lot more than stand guard. They’re the ones keeping order inside facilities where tensions run high and routines matter above everything. They have to mind security and take over the tough work of helping inmates stick to rehabilitation programs so they can be ready for life outside prison walls.

Forensic Science Technician

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in forensic science, biology, or a related field
• Median Salary: $67,440 per year

Forensic science technicians turn crime scene evidence into answers. They use forensic science to dig into the details most people miss and piece together what happened, so investigators have all the proof they need to build a case.

Probation Officer

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, or social work
• Median Salary: $62,193 per year

Probation officers work with people who have been given a second chance outside of prison or the ones who are on probation instead of serving their sentence in prison. Their job is making sure offenders stick to their court-ordered rules.

Criminal Lawyer

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree plus Juris Doctor (J.D.) law degree
• Median Salary: $142,000 per year

Criminal lawyers either defend people facing criminal charges or represent the government in prosecuting a case. They stand by their clients through trials, plea negotiations, and appeals, so that every voice is heard in the courtroom. Criminal law is one of the highest-paid jobs among criminal justice career options.

FBI Agent

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field
• Median Salary: $98,764 per year

FBI agents are responsible for some of the most serious cases in the criminal justice system. It's the Federal Bureau's job to follow leads and track down evidence so they can bring federal criminals to justice.

Private Investigator

• Education Requirement: High school diploma; many complete postsecondary courses
• Median Salary: $61,387 per year

Private investigators dig into the details to find answers others miss. Law firms and businesses often hire them to track down hidden information and investigate fraud. Private investigators also help private clients gather evidence for a solid case.

Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field
• Median Salary: $69,281 per year

Crime Scene Investigators use physical evidence left behind at crime scenes and turn it into a story. CSI prepares this evidence for the courtroom, where the smallest details often determine the outcome of a case.

Paralegal

• Education Requirement: Associate’s degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor’s degree in another field plus a paralegal certificate
• Median Salary: $56,634 per year

Paralegals keep legal teams running smoothly. They handle the groundwork behind every case, from drafting documents to gathering the research lawyers need to argue in court. Without them, the legal side of the criminal justice system would slow to a crawl.

Homeland Security Agent

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, homeland security, or emergency management
• Median Salary: $85K–$136K per year

Homeland security agents focus on dangers that could threaten the entire country. Their job is to protect national borders and investigate risks so they can build strategies that keep the citizens safe.

Victim Advocate

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or psychology
• Median Salary: $52,937 per year

Victim advocates stand beside people during the hardest moments of their lives. They're the ones who guide victims through the difficulties of the system so they have access to the protection and resources they need to start rebuilding their lives.

Juvenile Justice Counselor

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, criminal justice, or social work
• Median Salary: $46,317 per year

Juvenile justice counselors are responsible for the recovery of young offenders. They help them change their behavior and give them the tools they need to build a better, non-criminal future.

Bailiff

• Education Requirement: High school diploma; training programs vary by state
• Median Salary: $58,460 per year

Bailiffs keep the courtroom under control when tensions run high. It's their responsibility to make sure everyone follows the rules so the room stays in order, and they step in if anything gets out of hand.

Border Patrol Agent

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree preferred; high school diploma minimum
• Median Salary: $62,667 per year

Border patrol agents monitor entry into the country. They protect U.S. borders from illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and human smuggling.

Court Reporter

• Education Requirement: Postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree in court reporting
• Median Salary: $54,256 per year

Court reporters are responsible for keeping every word spoken in a courtroom on the record. Their transcripts are an official record of hearings that lawyers and judges rely on long after the case is over.

Criminologist

• Education Requirement: Master’s degree in criminology, sociology, or criminal justice
• Median Salary: $82,147 per year

Criminologists dig into why crimes happen and what can be done to stop them. Their research helps build the policies and strategies that shape the criminal justice field.

Intelligence Analyst

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, political science, or international relations
• Median Salary: $73,567 per year

Intelligence analysts assess information about security threats. Their work gives law enforcement agencies insight so they can stay ahead of potential dangers.

Fraud Investigator

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in finance, criminal justice, or a related field
• Median Salary: $90,400 per year

Fraud investigators dig into financial crimes that often hide in plain sight. They track down scams and build cases that bring fraudsters to justice. Their work also helps prevent future financial crimes.

Fish and Game Warden

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, biology, or natural resources
• Median Salary: $61,120 per year (BLS 2023)

Game wardens protect wildlife and the natural spaces people often take for granted. They spend their days out in the field, making sure hunting and fishing laws are respected.

DEA Agent

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, law, or a related field
• Median Salary: $83,000 per year

DEA agents take the fight directly to drug traffickers. The Drug Enforcement Administration tracks illegal operations and works to shut down drug networks before they spread further into communities.

Skills and Qualities Needed for a Criminal Justice Career

You can know every law in the book and still be unable to set foot in the criminal justice field if you don't have the right skills. Being successful in this field depends just as much on how you think as it does on what you know. Here’s what you’ll need beyond a criminal justice degree to build a career:

Criminal Justice Salary and Job Outlook

Passion for justice is important when you're starting out in the system, but so is knowing what kind of paycheck and general future you're dedicating your life to. Criminal justice degree career paths come with different salaries depending on your role and education.

Landing a job is one thing, but building a meaningful career is another. If you're serious about stepping into the criminal justice field, it’s smart to look at where the opportunities are growing and which fields are slowing down.. Here's a closer look at what the future holds for different criminal justice careers:

• Police Officers: Job growth is expected to be about 4% from 2022 to 2032, which is right around the average pace for most careers.
• Forensic Science Technicians: Huge demand here! The expected growth in this field is 13% in the same period, which is way faster than average.
• Probation Officers: Just as with police officers, probation officers will also see a growth of 4% within the next decade.
• Correctional Officers: A decline of about 6% is expected as prison populations shift and policies change.

Challenges in the Criminal Justice Field

The criminal justice field isn’t for the faint of heart. It means having the courage to step into unpredictable situations where anything could happen. You will have to make tough decisions that have an actual impact and stay steady under pressure all at the same time. The rewards in the criminal justice field are huge, but challenges are very real, too. So, it's smart to know what you're signing up for before you make a commitment.

• Stress and Emotional Challenges: Some days will test your patience. Others will test your heart. Law enforcement officers deal with high-stress environments, so learning to manage the emotional load is practically needed for survival.
• Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-Making: You won't always get easy answers in a courtroom or during an investigation. Ethical gray areas come with the job description. You'll spend a lot of time sharpening your judgement, so what you need is a strong backbone and a clear sense of right and wrong.
• Security Concerns and Public Safety Issues: You will have to put yourself at risk to keep others safe. Officers and agents often face threats that come out of nowhere, so trusting your instincts and preparing for the unexpected is just as important as your criminal justice degree.

How to Start a Career in Criminal Justice

The first steps of your career in the criminal justice field take more than good grades and a dream. It requires careful planning because you have to put yourself on the right path from the very beginning. Here's how to do it the right way:

1. Figure Out What You Want to Do: If we've learned anything from this article, it's that the criminal justice field is huge. Learn as much as you can about different fields and think about where your skills and goals fit best.
2. Get the Right Criminal Justice Degree: Not all degrees lead to the same jobs. An associate's degree might be enough if you want to become a police officer. If you're aiming for forensic science or intelligence work, you'll need a bachelor's degree.
3. Get Training and Certifications: Police recruits go through academy training. Probation officers often need extra state certifications. Check the specific requirements for the role you’re aiming for and start preparing early.
4. Get Real Experience: Anything that gets you where you want to be is worth your time: internships, ride-alongs, even volunteer work.
5. Work on Your Thinking and Writing Skills: The best of the best in criminal justice know how to think clearly and communicate well. Practice by researching and writing about different legal essay topics, studying real-world cases, or even joining mock trial teams.
6. Start Building Your Network: Meet people who are already where you want to be. A single conversation could open a door you didn’t even know existed.
7. Cast a Wide Net: Your first job might not be your dream role, and that’s okay. Getting your foot in the door matters more than waiting for the perfect offer.

Criminal Justice Advancement and Career Growth

One of the best parts about criminal justice careers? You’re not locked into one job forever. If you stay driven, new doors will keep opening.

• Patrol officers often work their way up to detective roles, leading investigations and handling major cases.
• Probation officers can step into leadership, managing teams and shaping rehabilitation programs.
• Forensic science technicians can specialize and eventually head crime scene units or lab divisions.
• Criminal lawyers who start in local courts might move into federal cases or even reach the bench.
• Intelligence analysts can rise into senior positions, advising on national security or agency strategy.

If you're in it for the long haul, you're going to need a lot of patience. Growth in criminal justice careers doesn't happen overnight. But you'll quickly notice how many more doors will open the more you build your skills and take on challenges. Advancement is something you work toward, but also something the system expects from people who stay.

A Risk Worth Taking

If you’re serious about stepping into a career that literally changes lives, the criminal justice field gives you that chance. Yes, the road isn’t smooth, but it’s not supposed to be. Criminal justice careers are built for people with a strong moral compass who have what it takes to create lasting change. And getting there? Not that easy, either. You will have to build real skills beyond what your degree teaches you. You will also need the kind of resilience that doesn't waver under pressure.

Don't let the pressure scare you! The rewards that come with criminal justice careers are huge. Here's what makes it worth it:

• You’ll have the freedom to choose from dozens of career paths
• Growth is expected. With time and experience, you can move up and build a career that keeps evolving.
• Job security stays strong because the system will always need smart, dedicated people to keep it running.
• Every day pushes your thinking and reminds you why you chose this work in the first place.

Of course, getting there starts with a strong foundation. If you've already got your heart set on a criminal justice career, it's always a good idea to have real support behind you. That's where EssayHub comes in. Our expert writers can provide law essay help and assistance with any academic task, so you can stay focused on your goals.