| In a field as diverse as criminal justice, there is a | | | | Intellectual property: $20,000 to $40,000o Criminal |
| wide array of possible career paths, each with its | | | | Lawyer: The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites |
| own pros and cons. Here's the good news: the | | | | median earnings for a starting lawyer, after nine |
| need for professionals with a background in | | | | months, as falling between $40,000 and $80,000. |
| criminal justice is predicted to show continued | | | | Those who work in a private practice earn the |
| growth for the foreseeable future. That's | | | | most. |
| according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), | | | | Public-sector positions |
| the government agency that tracks such things. | | | | Public-sector criminal justice jobs often offer a |
| It is certainly possible to command a hefty salary | | | | lower starting salary than those in the private |
| when you work in criminal justice. (Criminal | | | | sector, but again, salary is just one indicator of |
| lawyers come to mind.) However, do not let your | | | | how well compensated you will be for your work. |
| salary potential be your only consideration as you | | | | Well-designed benefit programs and the rewards |
| plan your criminal justice career. Many criminology | | | | of working in the public interest make |
| jobs offer intense rewards, such as helping others | | | | public-sector criminal justice jobs a great choice |
| and maintaining public safety. While some may | | | | for the right candidate. Here's the scoop from the |
| offer more eye-popping starting paychecks than | | | | Bureau of Labor Statistics:o Probation or |
| others, all are worthy of consideration. | | | | Correction Officer Probation officers typically start |
| Private Sector Positions | | | | out around $25,000. Those who work in urban |
| In the private sector, earnings can be quite high, | | | | areas tend to earn more.o Police Officer or State |
| even for a fresh-faced grad with a criminal justice | | | | Trooper As a police officer, your earnings as an |
| degree and some internship experience. Of | | | | entry-level worker depend on whether you are |
| course, public-sector gigs often come with | | | | working in a local, state, or federal agency. At the |
| attractive benefits. Here's what to expect if you | | | | lowest end of the scale, you might earn in the |
| go the private route.o Private detective. Starting | | | | range of $30,000. You can often earn |
| salaries for private detectives hover around the | | | | considerably more as a federal officer.o Social |
| $20,000 mark. (When you work for yourself, the | | | | Worker or Caseworker Your earnings as a social |
| payoff comes once you build a clientele.) | | | | worker depend heavily on your area of expertise. |
| According to BLS, median earnings are in the area | | | | Median salaries range from $33,920 to $40,080, |
| of $32,110.o Paralegal. In a recent report from | | | | with starting professionals typically earning less.o |
| Robert Half International, the starting salaries for | | | | Government Security Agent Government |
| case clerks or junior paralegals ranged from | | | | security agents earn anywhere from $55,000 to |
| $22,000 to $47,500; salary expectations are | | | | $75,000, according to ASIS. |
| generally tied to the size of the firm.o Private | | | | Of course, these options are just a few of your |
| Security Agent. Based on information from ASIS, | | | | many career choices, and as you can see, |
| a large organization for security professionals, | | | | starting salaries for newly trained grads with a |
| your starting salary as a security agent depends | | | | background in criminal justice span the pay scale. |
| on your industry. Here are just a few:o Banking | | | | Go with your heart and choose a field that you |
| and financial security: $35,000 to $65,000o | | | | love. The money will come, but happiness is |
| Commercial real estate: $40,000 to $50,000o | | | | invaluable. |