Criminal Justice Salary
Criminal justice salary is dependent upon several factors and in many government positions, the GS payscale is utilized which is a sliding scale consisting of 15 pay grades, with 10 steps within each pay grade. The salary data below was gathered using the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in conjunction with information gathered directly from employing agencies. Keep in mind that those who work and live in urban areas are much more likely to start at higher salaries than those in rural areas.
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Law Enforcement Salary
| Police Officer Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,010 |
*Salary data from US BLS http://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm#tab-5
| Police Detective Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $68,820 |
*Salary data from US BLS http://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm#tab-5
| Fish & Game Warden Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,730 |
*Salary data from US BLS http://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm#tab-5
| FBI Salary | GS Scale Range |
|---|---|
| Special Agent (GS10 – GS13) | $45,771 – $93,175 |
*The FBI uses the GS scale which can vary greatly depending upon education, experience, and locality. All other median salary figures from US Bureau of Labor Statistics. See https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/
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Homeland Security Salary
| US Customs & Border Patrol Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (GS 5,7,or 9) | $27,431 – 54028 |
| After approx. one year (bump up paygrade by one) | $50,287 – $78,355 |
*estimates using 2013 GS Payscale from OPM.gov at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/careers/customs_careers/border_careers/bp_agent/faqs_working_for_the_usbp.xml#PayandBenefits
| Air Marshal Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pay Band G | $39,358 – 60,982 |
| Pay Band H | $48,007 – 74,390 |
| Pay Band I | $58,495 – 90,717 |
*estimates using TSA PayBand Scale; most will start at PayBand G. See more at http://www.tsa.gov/careers/pay-bands
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Forensic Salaries
| Forensic Science Technician | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| National Average | $51,570 |
*U.S. BLS.gov, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm#tab-5
| Psychologist Salary (Forensic and Other) | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $39,200 |
| Mid Career Level | $68,640 |
| Senior – Seasoned Level | $111,810 |
*U.S. BLS.govlatest data from May 2010 for General & Other Psychologists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Life-Physical-and-Social-Science/Psychologists.htm#tab-5
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Paralegal Salary
| Paralegal | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $29,460 |
| Mid Career Level | $46,680 |
| Senior – Seasoned Level | $74,870 |
*U.S. BLS.gov – http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm#tab-5
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Corrections Salary
| Correctional Officer Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $26,040 |
| Mid Career Level | $39,040 |
| Senior – Seasoned Level | $67,250 |
*Salary data from U.S. BLS.gov -http://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/correctional-officers.htm#tab-5
| Probation Officer Salary | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $30,920 |
| Mid Career Level | $47,200 |
| Senior – Seasoned Level | $80,750 |
*Salary data from U.S. BLS.gov -http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm#tab-5
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