How to Become a Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement
Maintain law and order, prevent crime, and protect communities. It typically requires an associate's or bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $76,210 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$76,210/yr
Middle half
$59,290 to $97,600
Job growth
About average
Openings / yr
53,700
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Law Enforcement
- Critical Thinking
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Community Relations
Helpful certifications
- POST Certification
- State Peace Officer License
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
5/100
Work-life balance
32/100
Stress level
82/100
Satisfaction
62/100
Related careers
- Fire Inspector / Investigator$75,920 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement make?
The median pay for a Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement is $76,210 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $59,290 and $97,600 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement?
The usual entry point is an associate's or bachelor's degree. Common majors are Criminal Justice, Criminology, Sociology, Political Science, Public Administration, and Emergency Management.
Is Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is about average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 53,700 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement use most?
Common skills for this role are Law Enforcement, Critical Thinking, Communication, Problem Solving, and Community Relations.
Planning to become a Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement?
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).