Criminology Careers
Crime in big cities has fallen following a pandemic-era spike, but recent data shows that crime rates in suburban and rural areas appear to be rising. Criminologists are sociologists who specialize in crime. They research the root causes of crime to help prevent it and work in various roles within the justice system.
If you have an analytical mindset and an interest in why crime occurs and how to address it, you may excel in the field of criminology. Learn more about jobs with a criminology degree and potential salaries.
Featured Online Bachelor’s Programs in Criminology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Can I Do With A Criminology Degree?
A criminology degree can prepare you for more than just research. A degree in criminology can lead you to roles within the criminal justice system, such as investigators and correctional treatment specialists, but you can also unlock high-paying job opportunities in various fields.
For instance, if you couple a criminology degree with training in information systems, this can lead to a high-demand and fast-growing job like information security analyst, which, according to the BLS, had a 2023 median salary of $120,360.
You can pursue additional certifications and education on top of your criminology degree to pursue a wide range of jobs in government, research, forensic science, and more.
| Jobs | Typical Entry-Level Education | Median Pay (2023) | Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Investigator | Bachelor’s | $91,100 | 3% |
| Probation Officers, Parole Officers, and Correctional Treatment Specialists | Bachelor’s | $61,800 | 3% |
| Information Security Analyst | Bachelor’s | $120,360 | 32% |
| Financial Examiner | Bachelor’s | $84,300 | 20% |
| Forensic Science Technician | Bachelor’s | $64,940 | 13% |
| Social Worker | Master’s | $58,380 | 7% |
| Criminologist or Sociologist | Master’s | $101,770 | 5% |
| Policy Analyst | Master’s | $132,350 | 7% |
| Criminal Lawyer | Professional doctorate | $145,760 | 8% |
| Forensic Psychologist | Doctorate | $92,740 | 6% |
| College Professor | Ph.D. or doctorate | $84,380 | 8% |
Other Criminology Jobs to Consider
- Compliance Officer: Compliance officers have a vast and detailed knowledge of regulatory and legal requirements and ensure businesses are in good standing within their respective jurisdictions. Amid an ever-evolving landscape of rules and regulations, compliance officers ensure businesses operate successfully.
- Criminal Profiler: Criminal profilers use evidence and aspects of a crime to create a behavioral profile of a suspect. Criminal profilers are experts in sociology and human behavior who help identify potential suspects, aiding law enforcement in their investigations.
- Federal Intelligence Analysts: Federal intelligence analysts are data-driven experts who identify and mitigate threats. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employs intelligence analysts to bolster national security by identifying potential security gaps and working with agents in the field. Federal intelligence analysts are experts in finding trends in data and working across agencies to put that information into action.
- Insurance Fraud Investigator: An insurance fraud investigator conducts investigations into potential cases of insurance fraud. Insurance fraud can take many forms, from inflated claims of damage to staged accidents, and fraud investigators gather evidence to ascertain whether fraud has occurred.
- Jury Consultant: Jury selection is key to ensuring a fair trial. Jury consultants serve as key advisors who help vet jurors and assist attorneys in legal strategies for jury trials. Jury consultants research jurors to help attorneys create a strategy for both jury selection and addressing an eventual jury.
- Loss Prevention Officer: One major challenge that in-person stores face is theft. Loss prevention officers form a key line of defense against shoplifting, monitoring stores for theft and preventing losses. A loss prevention officer might work on a small scale at one store or be responsible for loss prevention strategy across an entire chain or region.
- Paralegal: Paralegals work at law firms, corporations, and government agencies performing key legal work, such as helping attorneys prepare for trials, conducting research, and reviewing regulations and case law. Paralegals are highly organized professionals who can specialize in various types of law, like intellectual property, criminal law, immigration law, and more. Paralegals typically need at least an associate degree to enter the field, which would take about two years to complete. If that seems too long, accelerated programs are also available.
- Survey Researchers: Many businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations use surveys to gauge customer interest in a new product or provide feedback on proposed regulations. Survey researchers are human behavior and data experts who craft and conduct surveys to get accurate, helpful responses from respondents.
- Victim Advocate: Victim advocates provide support to survivors of crime. That includes providing emotional support, resources, and intervention services to support survivors. They work in public, private, and nonprofit settings, including the criminal justice system.
Should I Major in Criminology or Criminal Justice?
There are several key differences between criminology and criminal justice. Criminology focuses more on the causes of crime and its impact. The field often has a more research-oriented approach. However, criminal justice focuses more on the legal and enforcement aspects of crime.
While both majors can lead to jobs in law enforcement, a criminal justice major often leads more to hands-on investigative work, while a criminology major can unlock jobs in sociology and research roles.
A criminal justice major allows students to pursue various jobs, from cybersecurity to law or emergency services. A criminology major can prepare students for similar roles within the legal system, along with analyst positions and other adjacent roles.
Pros and Cons of a Criminology Career
Pros
Criminology has broad applications beyond traditional research roles like criminologists and sociologists. The degree’s human behavior-focused training can lead you to a range of specializations and open doors in areas like social work, behavioral health, data analysis, and education, with jobs in many of those fields projected to grow over the next decade.
Cons
Lengthy training requirements for some of the more lucrative jobs in the field of criminology means you may have to wait for some time to see a powerful return on your investment. Additionally, the field can be mentally taxing, particularly if you take the traditional route of studying crime to find its root causes.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Criminology Career
Criminology can help prepare you for roles in the FBI, whether that’s a criminal profiler, researcher, or intelligence analyst. The FBI also employs behavioral analysts in various fields, from professionals studying the causes of violent crime to those profiling potential threats to national security.
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