Top 20 Criminal Justice Associates Degree Jobs Full Guide With Salary Details
Full Guide With Salary And Career Details
With an associate degree in criminal justice in hand, one can consider a variety of jobs that can cater to your skill level and your interest and financial needs. There are many Criminal justice jobs with Associates Degree to pursue as a career when you have an associate degree in criminal justice, especially if you are interested in being a police or investigation officer or want to become a detective or sheriff. Here is a list of Criminal justice jobs with Associates Degree that provides you with job description
n and expected salary you might want to get when you have a degree in criminal justice. You may pick one that may satisfy your personal and professional interest, ensuring your skill level’s total consumption.
These jobs are challenging but can be fun if you have a keen interest in them. According to our researcher, these are the top 20 Criminal Justice Jobs With Associates Degree. Full guide with career growth and salary information.
- Police Officer
- Forensic Lab Scientist
- Probation Officer
- Correctional Officer
- Fish And Game Warden
- Crime Scene Investigators
- Private Detective
- Security Guard
- State Trooper
- Fraud Investigators
- FBI Agent
- CIA Agent
- Immigration And Customs Enforcement Agents
- Postal Inspector
- Blood Spatter Analyst
- Homicide Detectives
- DEA Agents
- Secret Service Agents
- US Marshall
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Police Officer
Median wages (2018) | $29.51 hourly, $61,380 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Average (4% to 6%) |
Many of us had dreamed of becoming a police officer and fight with criminals in our childhood. But only a few get the chance to become the hero that everyone wants to be!
The police officer has a significant number of responsibilities, and saving society from criminals is one. There is a considerable rise seen in recent years in demand of becoming a police officer in the USA, which is up to 7%. According to a report by labor association, police officers have approximately $63,000 salary per annum.
Police officers are not only front men but also a backbone of any secure society. Their efforts bring a lot of positive changes overall. Police officers protect the people from criminals and ensure their safety and security in all senses. A healthy society is possible only with the crime-free environment, and police officers are the people who can make this happen.
The police department also trains police officers further to enhance their skills. And work more efficiently. So pursuing a career as a policeman can be a right and satisfying decision both professionally and emotionally.
Forensic Lab Scientist
Median wages (2018) | $27.99 hourly, $58,230 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Much faster than average (11% or higher) |
These are people who work with different departments to solve crimes. They make investigation better and sometimes even possible with given clues and facts.
You must have heard of matching DNAs and fingerprints. Or how a single strand of hair can point towards a murderer?
In different crime genre movies and dramas, we have seen how forensic plays an essential and vital role in an investigation, and it is true. Sometime
s the whole investigation depends on what forensic report says. They can dramatically give new directions to any investigation. They build up events based on their findings and fill the empty spaces in cases.
Anyone with good thinking and analytical skills who want to use their brain for a good cause can join a forensic team with a degree in criminal justice.
A forensic Lab scientist earns from $62000 to $82000 early depending on which state you are residing.
Probation Officer
Related: How To Become A Federal Probation Officer Full Guide
Median wages (2018) | $25.49 hourly, $53,020 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
A probation officer earns approximately $53020 a year. They have significant job growth, as well. A probation officer keeps track of parolees. Having contact with their home and work environment is an important job and can create a betterment overall.
Keeping track of parolees is essential. This does not only ensures a reduction in the possibility of any crime but also in helping parolees to stand again and become responsible citizens.
If anyone is interested in doing social welfare and a professional job with a criminal justice degree in hand, he/she must consider the probation officer job.
Related:TOP 15 Criminal Justice Jobs
That Don’t Require Police Academy
Correctional Officer
Median wages (2018) | $21.31 hourly, $44,330 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Decline (-2% or lower) |
These are people who work within jails. They supervise and assist the people in prisons convicted of different crimes. It’s a dutiful job though and can sometimes be challenging as it involves handling people convicted in crimes. The average per annum salary of a correctional officer is up to $44330. The correctional officer doesn’t need much job certification and pre-training, so it’s relatively easy to get and pursue a correctional officer job with a degree in criminal justice.
Fish And Game Warden
Median wages (2018) | $27.75 hourly, $57,710 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
If you are a nature lover and want to get paid for protecting Mother Nature than fish and game warden job is for you. Fish and game warden look after different animals and pets and make sure that visitors and the habitat are safe and protected.
In this job, one enjoys the perks of the outdoor job and protects nature while dealing with legalities. This job combines biology with law. What a fantastic duo…Interesting!! This job is for field workers also. If you love to work outdoors, get a fish and game warden job.
Different parks, museum, zoos and gardens will hire fish and game wardens. And for all this fun job you get up to $57710 annually.
Crime Scene Investigators
Median wages (2018) | $39.38 hourly, $81,920 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
As filmy as it sounds, this job is both challenging and fun. One with wit and eyes must pursue this job career. Crime scene investigators work on the crime scene to collect further pieces of evidence.
As we see in films and movies, how different shreds of evidence points to different directions and give the case a new lead. That’s how it works actually.
These people construct scenarios based on shreds of evidence and eyewitnesses. And even when no one was around to witness the situation, what might have happened? Is solved by crime scene investigators.
They help a lot in forensics. With a chance to enjoy technological advancements in forensics and a degree in criminal justice, you can get crime investigator jobs.
Private Detective
Median wages (2018) | $24.08 hourly, $50,090 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Faster than average (7% to 10%) |
Does Sherlock Holmes inspire you? Then this job is for you!
Imagine one needs to run a background check before making an important
deal or suspects his husband or wife of cheating but they can’t follow obviously because they don’t want to alert the other partner by getting caught. Then who will they hire? A private detective.
Private detectives are usually hired for less violent scenarios like surveillance or background checks. Murder cases are still for Sherlock Holmes or homicide department.
People may also hire a private detective because they may want investigation from their perspective instead of a general standard procedure only. Sometimes it gives satisfaction or an answer to a client hiring
a private detective.
A private detective needs a degree in criminal justice because one must be aware of rules and laws as it may involve privacy issues in most cases.
An associate degree in criminal justice can help you become a private detective, and according to a survey, they earn up to $ 58000 annually.
Security Guard
Median wages (2018) | $13.70 hourly, $28,490 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Average (4% to 6%) |
Superman is no more needed when
We have guards here who can save us from bad things that might happen. A security guard is always in demand. They are hired for protecting both people and property. They will guard and secure the areas with patrolling and constant regulatory checking. It is a responsible job, and any suspicious activity or people will be banned from the premises by a security guard.
They work with different national and local departments to ensure the safety of the public.
Computer Forensic Investigators
Median wages (2018) | $27.99 hourly, $58,230 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Much faster than average (11% or higher) |
Technology has become so advanced that many crimes happen virtually through electronic media with no physical evidence.
A computer forensic investigator combines skills with technology to gather data from electronic media. They use advanced techniques to extract the footprints of data that a criminal might think don’t even exist.
With technology, it’s now easy to do crime invisibly, but you are never invisible to computer experts. Your traces online can be found at such a deep level that might surprise you.
Sometimes the evidence is electronic, for example, a deleted message, a phone call, an email or an online trace of some transaction. A computer forensic investigator will help in constructing digital records of evidence. They go through both hardware’s, and software’s to look for any little clue that might be helpful and change the lead in the case.
This job combines IT with law and justice, so if you have a thing for technology and expertise in criminology, don’t hesitate to become computer forensic investigators.
State Trooper
Median wages (2018) | $29.51 hourly, $61,380 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Average (4% to 6%) |
State Trooper Criminal justice jobs with Associates Degree
State troopers ensure vehicle laws. When needed, they also check on suspicious vehicles and ensure that the public follows the safety measures. State trooper is equal to police officers but there work mostly on roads.
State troopers also investigate vehicles involved in crimes or accidents. They work with government and federal agencies to minimize the chances of crimes and terrorism activities that include vehicles. State troopers earn approximately $61380 annually.
Fraud Investigators
Median wages (2018) | $33.79 hourly, $70,280 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Average (4% to 6%) |
As obvious from the name, fraud investigators investigate about any chances of illegal claims or suspicious dealing.
Fraud investigators make sure that deal is done correctly and legally. If any suspicion, they look for chances of possible fraud. They usually gather data and pieces of evidence and try to construct findings based on those shreds of evidence. A third party typically hires fraud investigators. Fraud investigator will handle any false claim whether it includes property, people or business. They usually make false insurance claims or fraudulent business deals. Their average annual salary is $70280. With a degree in criminal justice, one can become a fraud investigator.
FBI Agent
Median wages (2018) | $39.38 hourly, $81,920 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
Enforcing federal law is the primary duty of an FBI agent. One must have four years of the degree to become an FBI agent. An FBI agent can work on different levels of crime. They can handle terrorism to corruption and organized crimes depending upon their field of training. FBI agents follow the investigation from evidence gathering till the convicted criminal is sentenced.
FBI agents are highly trained professionals. Their training includes academics, using firearms, investigation skills, homicide to self-defence expertise. Their skillset further accompanies Their rigorous training, and they can choose the field of their skill level and expertise. They can select many areas like accounting and finance, computer intelligence, applied sciences, engineering, and information technology-based on their skillset and training.
CIA Agent
Median wages (2018) | $39.38 hourly, $81,920 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
Central intelligence agency agents are highly trained professionals. They work with a federal agency and other law enforcement institutions to ensure crime elimination worldwide.
CIA agents mostly work undercover. They are trained in an aggressive way to deal with crimes worldwide. They have high salaries ranging from $74,000 – $1, 50,000.
CIA agents put their lives in risk equally as other federal or local agents to ensure overall society’s safety.
One must have four year degree injustice to pursue the career of CIA agent and five years of experience in investigation.
CIA agents have specialized skill sets and continuously collaborate with law enforcement agencies to bring justice and peace on the table.
Immigration And Customs Enforcement Agents
Median wages (2018) | $39.38 hourly, $81,920 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
Anything these people handle illegal happening during immigration. Immigration and custom enforcement agents can arrest or deport any individual and stop anyone entering US premises who may be a potential threat to the country. They also prevent crimes like smuggling or trafficking.
Immigration and customs enforcement is a department of homeland security, and they offer a wide range of job benefits that may include flexible work hours, salary rise and vacations. People with a degree in law or criminal justice have a chance to become an investigation and custom enforcement agent.
Postal Inspector
Median wages (2018) | $62939 annual |
The postal inspector handles any crime involving mail. They handle crimes like frauds, identity thefts or blackmailing notes. The postal inspector investigates and solves crimes with the help of using forensic techniques and investigation skills. They gather evidence and solve the case based on the investigation. Four year degree is needed for the postal inspector’s job, and after hiring, they are trained for 18 weeks to become a postal inspector.
Blood Spatter Analyst
Median wages (2018) | $27.99 hourly, $58,230 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Much faster than average (11% or higher) |
Blood is an essential clue in all crime scenes. It can help determine the time of the crime and the possible way through which crime was done.
Blood analysis involves all three significant fields of science, i.e. physics, chemistry and biology.
Gathering a blood sample and analyzing it to study the crime is a job of blood splatter analyst.
Even a single drop of blood can solve a case. The amount of blood, the pattern of bloodstains and whose blood is in the crime scene can determine the significant factors in any investigation. This job requires a certain amount of “bravery and encouragement” also as it includes a lot of blood spills sometimes. Undoubtedly, blood splatter analysts play a significant role in forensics and give new dimensions to any investigation. With a degree in criminal justice and a strong heart, one can pursue this job.
Homicide Detectives
Median wages (2018) | $39.38 hourly, $81,920 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
Homicide detectives solve murder cases. Yes, you read it right! We mean murder cases.
Not as easy as it seems homicide detectives have a very stressful and challenging job.
A homicide detective will carefully investigate a crime scene and gather pieces of evidence. Based on facts, witnesses’ interviews, and shreds of evidence collected, a homicide agent will try to determine the possible motive of the crime. Why the murder was done, or was it suicide? Who committed the murder? Why anyone killed someone? When was the crime done? Finding all these answers is the job of a homicide agent.
A homicide agent follows all the investigation and can interview witnesses. They can also pull up an old inquiry to solve the case. By this, they can solve many cold cases that were left unsolved in the past.
Homicide agents work both indoors and out in the field, which makes their job hectic but overall, they can help on-going investigations and impact society with reducing crime rates. Their yearly salary is $81920 approximately.
DEA Agents
Median wages (2018) | $39.38 hourly, $81,920 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
DEA agents are specialized in solving any crime that involves “drug dealing”. They usually track any activity that requires smuggling of drugs, organization or groups engaged in drug dealing and eliminates the chances of passing on drug freely in society.
They can work both undercover and openly, and their job involves certain risks. The mafia handles most drugs, and dealing with them is challenging and sometimes risky.
Drugs can ruin society and especially youth. Drugs bring other crimes on the table also. A significant rise in street crimes can also be seen with drug dealing running in an area.
A DEA agent must be in good physical condition himself. Degree in criminal justice can help to pursue a DEA agent career. Their salary starts at $48,000 and rises to $92000 in four years of doing a job.
Secret Service Agents
Median wages (2018) | $39.38 hourly, $81,920 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Slower than average (2% to 3%) |
Secret service agents are less filmy than they show in movies and more practical than other law agents. They don’t the only bodyguard or protect society elites but are also involved in multi crime investigations. They work with different organizations to solve various cases.
Secret service agents do not only protect individuals but also “state integrity”. They work for the overall security of society and may have to go to other states or countries to assist in criminal investigations.
They also handle irregular currency circulations, any possible financial frauds involving banks, document forgery, cyber-attacks involving banking systems and removing counterfeit currency from system.
A person must be in good health, be willing to travel frequently, and have a four-year degree to become a special agent. Special agents are awarded high salaries.
CIA AGENT SALARY AND CAREER GUIDE 2020
US Marshal
Median wages (2018) | $29.51 hourly, $61,380 annual |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | Average (4% to 6%) |
Whenever there is a need to manage, transport or protect prisoners and federal witnesses or arrest the most wanted criminals, highly trained Us Marshall comes in the role. They also work for the department of justice, which sells illegally purchased assets, deals with illegal money used to buy an asset and compensate victims of such fraud crimes.
US Marshals also protects Law people who are in potential threat, i.e. Attorneys, judges or jurors. They ensure their safety and presence in court when needed.
US Marshals are famous for catching the “escaped” or hidden criminals. They do not only bring them to custody but make sure about their imprisonment also. According to a report US Marshals have arrested or captivated up to 100 fugitives in a day in 2014 only.
To pursue a US marshal career, one should have four years bachelor degree or education level matching GL-07 level classification. A degree in criminal justice can help to enter in this field.
How Long Does It Take To Become Police Officer Full Career Guide
CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE JOBS SALARIES AND CAREER GROWTH
References:
1. Siegel, Larry J. Introduction to Criminal Justice. 12th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010.
2. Echaore-McDavid, Susan and Richard A. McDavid. Career Opportunities in Forensic Science. New York: Ferguson, 2008.
3. Glenn, Russell W., et al. Training the Twenty-first Century Police Officer. Santa Monica: Rand Public Safety and Justice, 2003.
4. Josi, Don A. and Dale K. Sechrest. The Changing Career of the Correctional Officer: Policy Implications for the 21st Century. Woburn: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998.
5. McMahon, Rory J. Practical Handbook for Private Investigators. Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC, 2001.
6. Grosz, Terry. Wildlife Wars: The Life and Times of a Fish and Game Warden. Boulder: Johnson Books, 1999.
7. Jaquish, Michael. The Role of the Security Officer. Gig Harbor: Michael James Jaquish and Security Training Services International, 2006.
8. Olsen, Marilyn. State Trooper: America’s State Troopers and Highway Patrolmen. Paducah: Turner Publishing Company, 2001.
9. Fisher, Barry A.J. Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation. 7th ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC, 2005.
10. Kruse, Warren G. II and Jay G. Heiser. Computer Forensics: Incident Response Essentials. Crawfordsville: Lucent Technologies, 2010.
11. Pedneault, Stephen. Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2010.
12. Sherman, Michael D. et al. US Customs: A Practitioner’s Guide to Principles, Processes, and Procedures. Chicago: American Bar Association, 2009.
13. Bevel, Tom and Ross M. Gardner. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: With an Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction. 3rd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2008.
14. Miletich, John J. Homicide Investigation: An Introduction. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2003.
15. Walton, Richard H. Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigation Techniques. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2006.
16. US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Crime in the US 2013, Table 74: Full-Time Law Enforcement Employees
17. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives
References:
1. Siegel, Larry J. Introduction to Criminal Justice. 12th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010.
2. Echaore-McDavid, Susan and Richard A. McDavid. Career Opportunities in Forensic Science. New York: Ferguson, 2008.
3. Glenn, Russell W., et al. Training the Twenty-first Century Police Officer. Santa Monica: Rand Public Safety and Justice, 2003.
4. Josi, Don A. and Dale K. Sechrest. The Changing Career of the Correctional Officer: Policy Implications for the 21st Century. Woburn: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998.
5. McMahon, Rory J. Practical Handbook for Private Investigators. Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC, 2001.
6. Grosz, Terry. Wildlife Wars: The Life and Times of a Fish and Game Warden. Boulder: Johnson Books, 1999.
7. Jaquish, Michael. The Role of the Security Officer. Gig Harbor: Michael James Jaquish and Security Training Services International, 2006.
8. Olsen, Marilyn. State Trooper: America’s State Troopers and Highway Patrolmen. Paducah: Turner Publishing Company, 2001.
9. Fisher, Barry A.J. Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation. 7th ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC, 2005.
10. Kruse, Warren G. II and Jay G. Heiser. Computer Forensics: Incident Response Essentials. Crawfordsville: Lucent Technologies, 2010.
11. Pedneault, Stephen. Anatomy of a Fraud Investigation. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2010.
12. Sherman, Michael D. et al. U.S. Customs: A Practitioner’s Guide to Principles, Processes, and Procedures. Chicago: American Bar Association, 2009.
13. Bevel, Tom and Ross M. Gardner. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: With an Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction. 3rd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2008.
14. Miletich, John J. Homicide Investigation: An Introduction. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2003.
15. Walton, Richard H. Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigation Techniques. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2006.
16. US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Crime in the US 2013, Table 74: Full-Time Law Enforcement Employees
17. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives
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