If you liked to watch detective series when you were a child and decided to become a part of the “good guys,” you will like the today’s topic – the highest paying jobs with a master’s degree in criminal justice. Criminal justice is a part of the social sciences group, with the primary focus on explaining and identifying criminal behavior and activities. We can say that the criminal justice has an interdisciplinary approach since it is studying criminals, crime, and criminal justice system, with a help of many other social sciences. Some of them are sociology, philosophy, political science, legal studies, forensic science, urban studies and public administration. It is important to mention that criminal justice, apart of that it is inquiring about criminal behavior – is also finding the ways of preventing and helping offenders through rehabilitation.
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If you choose to pursue a master’s degree in criminal justice, the possibilities after you earn your diploma will triple. The prestige of a master’s degree can lead you to some fascinating profiles, such as a role in the forensics, criminal investigation, and emergency management leadership positions.
Being a part of the criminal justice system demands high moral foundations and maximum devotion to the job. Not quite a career for everyone, but for those who had the perseverance to jump over every obstacle, and fully dedicate themselves to earn their master’s degree, the reward will be significant. It will give you the possibility to choose any area of criminal justice, to match your requirements, such as salary and your primary field of interest. While we speak of master’s degrees, the same thing is with the highest-paid jobs in the medical field, which proves the fact that knowledge is power, bringing more money into your pockets.
We checked Career Profiles Info and Criminal Justice Degree Hub, and Criminal Justice Degree Schools to acquire correct data about the top paying jobs with a master’s degree in criminal justice. Some of the job positions require a bachelor’s degree as a minimum, but candidates with a higher level of education will always have an advantage over the ones who only fulfill the minimum requirements.
We also need to mention that the pay depends on the place of work. Positions in the big cities will often be more paid than the ones in the smaller communities. Our established criteria for arranging the list will be the salary per year income of every profile, which we gathered from Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
We present you the list of the 11 highest paying jobs with a master’s degree in criminal justice, and we wish you the best of luck in finding your perfect career.
11. Forensic Science Technician – $41,000 per year
Forensic science technician is among the most exciting jobs, and many TV shows were inspired with this profile, such as the popular TV series “Bones”. They are employed to collect evidence from crime scenes and later examine them in their laboratories. There are many further specializations like ballistics and fingerprints, enabling you to gather work experience in a particular field to become an expert. To apply for this profile, you will need a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences and a master’s degree in forensics, according to the research of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With $41,000 annual wage, forensic science technician is placed at #11 of our list.
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10. Mediator – $49,965 per year
A mediator is often called when two parties have a quarrel, and they want to solve it through compromise and collaboration. The main reason for hiring a mediator is to save time and money, rather than spending large sums on expensive lawyers. A mediator needs to understand the legal system and all its areas entirely, to properly balance between two parties. One who wants to become a mediator needs to have developed language skills to cooperate peacefully between two parties. That often requires a person to be highly educated, and mediators need to have a master’s degree in conflict management and dispute resolution. A mediator earns around $49,965 per year.
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9. Forensic Scientist – $51,002 per year
A forensic scientist is another interesting profile similar to the forensic science technician, but with a higher annual salary and longer work experience. This profile represents a natural step forward in your career, after working your way through as a forensic scientist technician. This position is made for scientist specialized in exploring criminal evidence from the area of chemistry, toxicology, and biology. The area of the scientific process that involves the investigation of hair and blood samples is the area for the forensic scientist. They also tend to look into clues that include drugs or positioning of the same. This position is often supervisory one; that’s why it demands a certain amount of leadership. Bachelor’s degree in natural science or forensic science is a minimum education that you need for this job. Some positions require a master’s degree.
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8. Probation Officer – $ 53,360 per year
Probation officers are professionals who maintain data on offenders who were sentenced to probation. They often work with juveniles and adults, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Probation officers closely cooperate with courts, to report their conclusions in the case of the offender. A master’s degree is required to have better salary and bigger chances of promotion. When it comes to the annual salary of the probation officer, it goes around $53,360 per year.
7. Criminal Profiler – $54,000 per year
A criminal profiler’s job is to fill in the missing details in an investigation. Police department calls a criminal profiler to help them figure out the criminal or how the individual crime took place. A criminal profiler needs to have the skills that can create a psychological profile of the criminal or a method of committed crime just by breaking down the key evidence. He or she may interview the family member, or explore the evidence details that police collected. If you decide for this profile, your annual salary will be $54,000, with a chance of promotion.
6. Corrections Officer – $57,970 per year
A corrections officer is not a profile for everyone, because – apart of having a formal education – the person for this position needs to have a strong character, with a high sense of moral and the power to be authoritative. The main job of correction officers is to handle arrested persons, and that means a broad area of work. They often work in courthouses, federal and state prisons, and juvenile detention centers. The annual pay of corrections officers putts this profile at No.6 of our list.
5. FBI Special Agent – $62,927 per year
If you liked to watch the famous TV show “The X – Files”, you remember special agents Molder and Scully. FBI special agents were a constant inspiration for many criminal series, and almost anyone wanted to become an FBI agent. An FBI special agent is in charge of conducting federal laws through investigations. They work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and their main job is to examine and analyze a wide specter of criminal cases. An FBI special agent needs to have many qualities, from a sharp mind to a perfect shape since they often spend all lot of time on the field chasing criminals. When you acquire your master’s degree, you will be able to apply for the job, with a salary of $62,927 per year.
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4. Intelligence Analyst – $69,688 per year
Intelligence analysts are some of the most brilliant, and one of the highest paid in the law enforcement. They often work behind the curtain, analyzing and gathering evidence material to solve even the hardest cases in less time. Intelligence analyst’s primary job is to make sure that all the evidence material is processed and that all cases are properly solved. A bachelor degree is a minimum, but the FBI often chooses only the best of the best, where a master’s degree is practically a standard. Intelligence analysts earn $69,688 per year, placing them at No.4 on our list of the highest paying jobs with a master’s degree in criminal justice.
3. Criminologist – $70,000 per year
Criminologist has different work focus from “criminalist”, although this term sounds alike. Someone who works as a criminologist uses his knowledge of psychology and human behavior, combined with the knowledge of crime rates and demographics, to solve the causes of criminal behavior. A criminologists job is to answer the reasons why someone committed a crime, or to look ahead to foresee the next crime when they are committed in a series. Field of crime prevention can also be his work area. Criminologists usually need a bachelor’s degree for a salary of $40 000, but with a master’s degree, their salary can go up to $70.000 per year. That proves the fact, that the more knowledge and work experience you have, the rewards will be greater.
2. Criminal Research Specialist – $71,000
A criminal research specialist is something between being an investigator and a border patrol agent. This job requires cooperation with Homeland Security when it comes to national borders. This position requires the precise plan of investigative strategies. It can involve the interception of the illegal importation of drugs or weapons, human trafficking, or the illegal exportation of technology. Master’s degree is required for this job, but some employers can work with bachelor’s degree. A criminal research specialist is an unusual position, with a decent annual income of $71,000.
1. Deputy Police Chief – $74,800 per year
Deputy police chief is in the service of the people. They are in charge of keeping the peace in their communities. This is an extremely responsible position for the individuals with a strong sense of moral beliefs, capable of helping the citizens in their troubles with the criminal offenders. Candidates who want apply for the deputy police chief position; will need to have a minimum bachelor’s degree for the salary of $48,000. The amount of the year income can drastically change if the candidate possesses a master’s degree, and its salary can go up to $74,800. With an annual income of $74,800, deputy police chief deserves to be named #1 on our list of the 11 highest paying jobs with a master’s degree in criminal justice.
