What are 5 careers in criminal justice?
Christopher Davis
Updated on March 26, 2026
The 5 Most Popular Criminal Justice Careers
- Patrol Officer (Police / Sheriff’s Deputy / State Trooper)
- Paralegal / Legal Assistant.
- Probation / Community Control / Correctional Teatment Specialist.
- Detective / Criminal Investigator.
- Legal Secretary.
What is criminal justice professionals?
The criminal justice system relies on dedicated professionals across all branches, from law enforcement to offender rehabilitation. Criminal justice professionals enforce and uphold the law — and it takes a passionate and valiant person to step up to this level of responsibility.
Is criminal justice in high demand?
Criminal justice degrees are in incredibly high demand and there are many perks for those enrolled in criminal justice degree programs. Learning in-demand job skills is one, preparing for an in-demand career is another, preparing for an exciting and rewarding career serving and protecting your community is yet another.
Is criminal justice a good major?
Pursuing a Criminal Justice major in college, from the get-go, is one of the best ways to put yourself at an advantage when seeking a job. But a criminal justice associate degree alone can help you land a job as a police officer, private detective or investigator, along with other, impactful criminal justice careers.
Is criminal justice a difficult major?
Is a Criminal Justice Major Hard? Like any accredited college program, earning a criminal justice degree requires rigor and persistence. Criminal justice coursework covers a broad set of topics in order to prepare students for a multi-faceted career. Criminal justice majors also typically require field training.
What’s the highest paying criminal justice job?
Here are the highest paying jobs you can get with a criminal justice degree.
- Lawyers. The Pay: up to $163,000.
- FBI Agents. The Pay: up to $114,000.
- Judges. The Pay: up to $104,000.
- Private Investigators. The Pay: up to $93,000.
- Forensic Psychologists.
- Intelligence Analysts.
- Financial Examiners.
- Criminologists.
What are the different types of criminal justice jobs?
The three main components of the U.S. corrections sytem include incarceration, probation and parole. Criminal justice occupations include criminologists, police officers, correctional officers, detectives, investigators, and immigration officers, among others.
What kind of job can you get in law enforcement?
Description: Law enforcement officers must be constituted by the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. Law enforcement officers can be police officers, security guards, public safety officials and more. Success in law enforcement does not all look the same.
Can you get a job with a criminal justice degree?
Education requirements vary across the criminal justice field. Applicants may pursue some entry-level opportunities with just a high school diploma, provided they successfully complete training. Other areas of criminal justice maintain more extensive requirements for entry-level applicants, such as a certificate, associate, or bachelor’s.
How long does it take to become a criminal justice officer?
Most entry-level criminal justice positions at minimum will require a 4-year college degree. The BLS estimates that between 2014 and 2024 job growth for criminal justice occupations will average right around 12%. Law enforcement agencies will primarily be looking to hire police officer, detectives, and private security professionals.