In the private sector, starting salaries in criminal justice can be quite high, even for a fresh-faced grad with a criminal justice degree and some internship experience. Of course, public-sector gigs often come with attractive benefits. Here’s what to expect if you go the private route.
• Private detective. Starting salaries for private detectives hover around the $20,000 mark. (When you work for yourself, the payoff comes once you build a clientele.) According to BLS, median earnings are in the area of $32,110.
• Paralegal. In a recent salary survey from Robert Half International, the salary stats in criminology for case clerks or junior paralegals ranged from $22,000 to $47,500; salary expectations are generally tied to the size of the firm.
• Private Security Agent. Based on information from ASIS, a large organization for security professionals, your starting salary as a security agent depends on your industry. Here are just a few:
• Banking and financial security: $35,000 to $65,000
• Commercial real estate: $40,000 to $50,000
• Intellectual property: $20,000 to $40,000
• Criminal Lawyer: The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites median earnings for a starting lawyer, after nine months, as falling between $40,000 and $80,000. Those who work in a private practice earn the most.
Public-sector positions
Public-sector criminal justice jobs often offer a lower starting salary than those in the private sector, but again, salary is just one indicator of how well compensated you will be for your work. Well-designed benefit programs and the rewards of working in the public interest make public-sector criminal justice jobs a great choice for the right candidate. Here are the starting salaries in criminal justice in the public sector from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
• Probation or Correction Officer Probation officers typically start out around $25,000. Those who work in urban areas tend to earn more.
• Police Officer or State Trooper As a police officer, your earnings as an entry-level worker depend on whether you are working in a local, state, or federal agency. At the lowest end of the scale, you might earn in the range of $30,000. You can often earn considerably more as a federal officer.
• Social Worker or Caseworker Your earnings as a social worker depend heavily on your area of expertise. Median salaries range from $33,920 to $40,080, with starting professionals typically earning less.
• Government Security Agent Government security agents earn anywhere from $55,000 to $75,000, according to ASIS.
Of course, these options are just a few of your many career choices, and as you can see, starting salaries for criminal justice graduates span the pay scale. Go with your heart and choose a field that you love. The money will come, but happiness is invaluable.
Answered By: Modern Day Moses - 4/19/2008 |