Criminal Justice Career Opportunities

Instructional Design Center > Online Criminal Justice Degrees & Certificates > Criminal Justice Career Opportunities

Make a Positive Impact in Your Community and Beyond

The criminal justice system employs nearly two million people across the nation and offers a variety of career opportunities. These opportunities include corrections, law enforcement, the court system, probation and parole. 

Learn More

Loading...

Popular Criminal Justice Careers

Police Officers/Detectives

National Median Annual Salary
$67,290/year
5% growth increase thru 2029
Local Estimated Base Salary
$46,563/year
updated May 2021
Top Companies for Police Officers in Kentucky
City of Louisville
$46,939
City of Covington
$50,131
City of Hopkinsville
$37,188
Bachelor typically required for entry-level positions

Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment Specialist

National Median Annual Salary
$55,690/year
4% growth increase thru 2029
Local Estimated Base Salary
$46,884/year
updated May 2021
Top Companies for Probation Officers in Kentucky
U.S. Courts
$93,761
U.S. Government
$79,661
U.S. Probation Office
$66,465
Bachelor typically required for entry-level positions

Social Services Assistant

National Median Annual Salary
$35,960/year
17% growth increase thru 2029
Local Estimated Base Salary
$47,986/year
updated April 2021
Top Companies for Social Services Assistants in Kentucky
Horizon Health & Rehab Center
$54,774
U.S. Army
$54,722
Commonwealth Care of Roanoke
$52,558
Bachelor typically required for entry-level positions

*National job opportunities data is based on national medians and figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook handbook.
*Local job opportunities data is based on estimated base pay and figures from Indeed.com.

Other Criminal Justice Careers

  • Correctional officer
  • Victims advocate
  • Court administrator
  • Border patrol agent
  • Treatment specialist
  • Corrections administrator
  • Bailiff
  • Caseworker or counselor
  • Policy analyst
  • Caseworker

News & Updates

Read All News
  • “I can confidently say that — as someone who doesn’t even live in the United States — EKU’s online program has been extremely accommodating and flexible. I can discuss advising appointments over email, and I can have my textbooks shipped to my address overseas.” – Sydney Garner Lewis
  • “After the birth of our first child, I knew I needed to go back and finish what I started,” said McKenzie. “I was happy that I could pick up where I left off at EKU even though I lived in a different state.” – EKU Online student and mom
  • “I chose EKU because I am a unique student with unique needs, and EKU provides an avenue for students like me to succeed.” – EKU Online Psychology student Jason Tate
EKU Online Power E Logo

Apply To EKU Online