But if you want to make the most money possible with a criminal justice degree, there are certain fields of employment that you should pursue. Below are some of the highest paying careers that you will be able to enter into with a degree in criminal justice.
Lawyer
Lawyers can earn anywhere from $75,000 to $164,000 each year, so your education will certainly pay off. A lawyer works with prosecutors and defendants in both criminal and civil trials in court. He or she knows the law inside and out and, therefore, can properly advise clients on the proper actions that should be taken to win a case. Lawyers who represent their clients successfully win the most cases, whether they work with business owners, motor vehicle accident victims, victims of abuse, or any other individuals who need to go to trial to plead their cases. It's an exciting career that allows you to work with different people all the time, and there is certainly room for advancement and growth. Just be prepared to spend four years getting an undergraduate degree before spending three years in law school in preparation for passing the bar exam before you can be licensed to practice as a lawyer.Police Officer
Police officer salaries have a wide range because it really depends upon where you're employed. Those officers working in large cities, like New York, for example, are paid higher salaries than those working in small rural towns around the country. Typically, officers can earn between $40,000 and $65,000 per year. Police officers follow criminal cases and apprehend criminals while also collecting evidence so that they can testify at court hearing and trials. They work directly with individuals on the streets every day, keeping people safe.Investigator
Detectives and investigators can either work privately or within law enforcement agencies. They typically make between $60,000 and $93,000 per year. The great thing about being an investigator is that you get to work on solving crimes by analyzing and collecting evidence and helping law enforcement officials put the pieces of a crime puzzle together. You need a solid education in criminal justice and you may also need some experience as a law enforcement agent first before advancing to the level of a detective or investigator. But once you are in this interesting and ever-changing field, you'll realize that all your time and efforts were worthwhile. To start, you can pursue your criminal justice degree online.Jamie is a freelance writer who admires those individuals who want to work hard to help others, especially those who are working to curb crime by getting into a criminal justice field. She enjoys watching shows and movies based on these careers, but reading real-life rescues in the newspaper is better than fiction.
