Ranked list · 48 careers

48 Criminal Justice Jobs, Ranked by Fit and Pay (2026)

Chief Security Officer tops this list at $106,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +4.6% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 48 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.

Careers on this list: 48From 1,731 in the bank
Median pay on the list: $79,535BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected to grow: 45 of 48BLS EP, 2025–2035
Openings a year: 1,266,200Combined, BLS EP

Method

How we built this list

Careers across policing, investigation, corrections, the courts and federal law enforcement, from patrol and probation to special agents and intelligence work. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.

The list

The top 48 criminal justice jobs

100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.

1
1. Chief Security Officer
Specialty within security manager
Median pay
$473,309typical, ScottMadden Security & Compliance Survey 2025, via Security Magazine
Growth
+4.6%
Openings / yr
14,200
Education
Bachelor's
Leads a company's global security program, protecting people, facilities, executives, events and assets from crime, violence, espionage and crises.
2
2. First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
Protective Service
Median pay
$106,040median a year
Growth
+3.3%
Openings / yr
10,600
Education
High school
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
3
3. Police Chief
Specialty within first-line supervisor of police and detectives
Median pay
$106,040median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.3%
Openings / yr
10,600
Education
High school
Leads a police department, setting policy, managing officers and budgets, and answering to elected officials and the community for public safety.
4
4. ATF Special Agent
Specialty within detective and criminal investigator
Median pay
$93,790median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
High school
Investigates violent crime involving firearms, explosives, arson and bombings, plus illegal firearms trafficking and tobacco diversion.
5
5. Counterintelligence Special Agent
Specialty within detective and criminal investigator
Median pay
$93,790median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
Bachelor's
Investigates spying, insider threats and foreign intelligence activity aimed at the U.S. military, government and defense industry.
6
6. DEA Special Agent
Specialty within detective and criminal investigator
Median pay
$93,790median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
Bachelor's
Investigates major drug trafficking organizations in the U.S. and abroad, from street distribution networks to international cartels.
7
7. Deputy U.S. Marshal
Specialty within detective and criminal investigator
Median pay
$93,790median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
High school
Hunts federal fugitives, protects federal judges and witnesses, and transports federal prisoners for the U.S. Marshals Service.
8
8. Detective and Criminal Investigator
Protective Service
Median pay
$93,790median a year
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
High school
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
9
9. Diplomatic Security Special Agent
Specialty within detective and criminal investigator
Median pay
$93,790median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
Bachelor's
A federal agent and Foreign Service member who protects U.S. embassies, diplomats and visiting dignitaries and investigates passport and visa fraud.
10
10. FBI Special Agent
Specialty within detective and criminal investigator
Median pay
$93,790median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
Bachelor's
Investigates federal crimes and national security threats, from terrorism and espionage to cybercrime, public corruption and violent crime.
11
11. Intelligence Analyst
Protective Service
Median pay
$93,790median a year
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
High school
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems.
12
12. Police Identification and Records Officer
Protective Service
Median pay
$93,790median a year
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
High school
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
13
13. Secret Service Special Agent
Specialty within detective and criminal investigator
Median pay
$93,790median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.2%
Openings / yr
7,800
Education
Bachelor's
Protects the President and other leaders, and investigates financial crimes such as counterfeiting, fraud and cyber-enabled crime.
14
14. Transit and Railroad Police
Protective Service
Median pay
$90,230median a year
Growth
+3.2%
Openings / yr
300
Education
High school
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
15
15. Insider Threat Analyst
Specialty within security management specialist
Median pay
$83,050median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.9%
Openings / yr
98,700
Education
Bachelor's
Spots employees or contractors who may steal data, leak secrets, commit sabotage or turn violent, and works with HR, legal and security to step in early.
16
16. Blockchain Forensics Investigator
Specialty within fraud examiner, investigator and analyst
Median pay
$81,100median (parent occupation)
Growth
+4.1%
Openings / yr
9,400
Education
Bachelor's
Traces cryptocurrency transactions on public blockchains to follow stolen or laundered funds, identify criminals and support seizures and prosecutions.
17
17. First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers
Protective Service
Median pay
$77,970median a year
Growth
−2.5%
Openings / yr
3,700
Education
High school
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
18
18. Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational Instruction and Library
Median pay
$76,590median a year
Growth
+1.5%
Openings / yr
1,100
Education
Doctorate
Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration.
19
19. Accident Reconstructionist
Specialty within police officer
Median pay
$76,210median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.5%
Openings / yr
51,500
Education
High school
Analyzes serious traffic crashes using physics, scene evidence and vehicle data to determine speeds, positions and causes.
20
20. Bomb Technician
Specialty within police officer
Median pay
$76,210median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.5%
Openings / yr
51,500
Education
High school
A police officer or firefighter trained to identify, render safe and dispose of explosive devices, and to investigate bombings.
21
21. Border Patrol Agent
Specialty within custom and border protection officer
Median pay
$76,210median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.5%
Openings / yr
51,500
Education
High school
Patrols the land borders and coasts between official ports of entry to detect and stop illegal entry, smuggling and trafficking.
22
22. Custom and Border Protection Officer
Protective Service
Median pay
$76,210median a year
Growth
+3.5%
Openings / yr
51,500
Education
High school
Investigate and inspect persons, common carriers, goods, and merchandise, arriving in or departing from the United States or between states to detect violations of immigration and customs laws and regulations.
23
23. Federal Air Marshal
Specialty within police officer
Median pay
$76,210median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.5%
Openings / yr
51,500
Education
High school
Flies undercover on commercial flights as an armed federal officer to detect and stop threats to passengers and aircraft.
24
24. Police Officer
Protective Service
Median pay
$76,210median a year
Growth
+3.5%
Openings / yr
51,500
Education
High school
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances.
25
25. Fire Marshal
Specialty within fire inspector and investigator
Median pay
$75,920median (parent occupation)
Growth
+4.2%
Openings / yr
1,600
Education
Certificate
Leads fire prevention for a city, county or state: enforcing fire codes, reviewing building plans and directing fire cause investigations.
26
26. Pretrial Services Officer
Specialty within probation officer and correctional treatment specialist
Median pay
$66,270median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.0%
Openings / yr
7,900
Education
Bachelor's
Interviews people after arrest, reports to judges on release decisions, and supervises defendants released before trial.
27
27. Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist
Community and Social Service
Median pay
$66,270median a year
Growth
+3.0%
Openings / yr
7,900
Education
Bachelor's
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
28
28. Correctional Chaplain
Specialty within clergy
Median pay
$60,810median (parent occupation)
Growth
+2.4%
Openings / yr
19,200
Education
Master's
Provides religious services and pastoral care inside prisons and jails, and coordinates worship for incarcerated people of every faith.
29
29. Correctional Officer and Jailer
Protective Service
Median pay
$58,940median a year
Growth
−7.4%
Openings / yr
28,400
Education
High school
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures.
30
30. Bailiff
Protective Service
Median pay
$56,600median a year
Growth
−1.9%
Openings / yr
1,600
Education
High school
Maintain order in courts of law.
31
31. Bail Enforcement Agent
Specialty within private detective and investigator
Median pay
$51,220median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.5%
Openings / yr
3,200
Education
High school
Locates and apprehends people who skip court after being released on bail, returning them to custody on behalf of bail bond companies.
32
32. Polygraph Examiner
Specialty within private detective and investigator
Median pay
$51,220median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.5%
Openings / yr
3,200
Education
High school
Conducts polygraph examinations for police investigations, government security screening and private clients, then interprets the physiological data.
33
33. Private Detective and Investigator
Protective Service
Median pay
$51,220median a year
Growth
+5.5%
Openings / yr
3,200
Education
High school
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
34
34. Crime Scene Cleaner
Specialty within hazardous materials removal worker
Median pay
$49,450median (parent occupation)
Growth
+1.5%
Openings / yr
4,300
Education
High school
Cleans and decontaminates homes and businesses after deaths, crimes, accidents and hoarding situations, removing blood and biohazards safely.
35
35. Forensic Interviewer
Specialty within social and human service assistant
Median pay
$45,930median (parent occupation)
Growth
+7.4%
Openings / yr
48,900
Education
Bachelor's
Conducts recorded, legally sound interviews with children and vulnerable people who may have experienced abuse or witnessed a crime.
36
36. Reentry Specialist
Specialty within social and human service assistant
Median pay
$45,930median (parent occupation)
Growth
+7.4%
Openings / yr
48,900
Education
High school
Helps people leaving prison or jail plan for and manage the return to their communities, from housing and jobs to IDs and treatment.
37
37. Victim Advocate
Specialty within social and human service assistant
Median pay
$45,930median (parent occupation)
Growth
+7.4%
Openings / yr
48,900
Education
High school
Supports crime victims through the aftermath of a crime and the justice process, from crisis response to court accompaniment.
38
38. Violence Interrupter
Specialty within social and human service assistant
Median pay
$45,930median (parent occupation)
Growth
+7.4%
Openings / yr
48,900
Education
High school
Uses community trust and lived experience to step into conflicts and stop shootings before they happen, then helps people at risk change course.
39
39. Executive Protection Agent
Specialty within security guard
Median pay
$38,020median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.9%
Openings / yr
156,000
Education
High school
Protects executives, public figures and wealthy families by planning safe routes, advancing venues and staying close enough to act if something goes wrong.
40
40. Nuclear Security Officer
Specialty within security guard
Median pay
$38,020median (parent occupation)
Growth
+0.9%
Openings / yr
156,000
Education
High school
Guards a nuclear power plant or nuclear weapons site as part of an armed, heavily trained response force held to federal security standards.
41
41. Forensic Odontologist
Specialty within dentist
Median pay
$170,950median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.7%
Openings / yr
4,200
Education
Doctorate
A dentist who uses dental records and teeth to identify human remains, assess bite injuries and estimate age for medical examiners and courts.
42
42. White-Collar Defense Attorney
Specialty within lawyer
Median pay
$159,670median (parent occupation)
Growth
+4.7%
Openings / yr
28,700
Education
Doctorate
Defends companies and executives in fraud, bribery, securities and other government investigations and criminal prosecutions.
43
43. Federal Judge
Specialty within judge
Median pay
$249,900typical, Administrative Office of the US Courts, judicial compensation table
Growth
+2.8%
Openings / yr
800
Education
Doctorate
A judge appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to decide cases in the US district courts or courts of appeals.
44
44. Judge
Legal
Median pay
$153,990median a year
Growth
+2.8%
Openings / yr
800
Education
Doctorate
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law.
45
45. Digital Forensics Analyst
Computer and Mathematical
Median pay
$116,580median a year
Growth
+5.1%
Openings / yr
27,000
Education
Bachelor's
Conduct investigations on computer-based crimes establishing documentary or physical evidence, such as digital media and logs associated with cyber intrusion incidents.
46
46. Incident Responder
Specialty within digital forensics analyst
Median pay
$116,580median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.1%
Openings / yr
27,000
Education
Bachelor's
Leads the response when an organization is hacked: containing the attack, investigating what happened and helping systems recover.
47
47. Red Team Operator
Specialty within penetration tester
Median pay
$116,580median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.1%
Openings / yr
27,000
Education
Bachelor's
Simulates real attackers against an organization over weeks or months, testing whether its people, processes and defenses can detect and stop them.
48
48. Threat Intelligence Analyst
Specialty within digital forensics analyst
Median pay
$116,580median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.1%
Openings / yr
27,000
Education
Bachelor's
Tracks hacking groups and their methods, turning technical clues and open-source research into warnings that help organizations defend themselves.

Questions

Criminal Justice Jobs: FAQ

What is the top career on the criminal justice jobs list?

Chief Security Officer leads the list with a median wage of $106,660 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +4.6% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is bachelor's.

How was this list put together?

Careers across policing, investigation, corrections, the courts and federal law enforcement, from patrol and probation to special agents and intelligence work. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Careers across policing, investigation, corrections, the courts and federal law enforcement, from patrol and probation to special agents and intelligence work. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.

How much do criminal justice jobs pay?

Across the 48 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $79,535 a year, from $38,020 at the bottom to $473,309 at the top (BLS OEWS May 2025 and the industry compensation sources cited on each career page). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.

How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?

27 of the 48 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).