We used the latest data and insights to identify the highest paying law enforcement jobs so that you can learn and earn more.
Law enforcement officers are some of the most important people in our society. They protect us from crime, uphold the law, and keep us safe.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the highest-paying law enforcement jobs, so you can see what kind of salary you can expect if you enter this field as a career.
We sourced this information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and PayScale. Read on to learn more about these jobs and the skills you need to become one of these professionals.
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Table of Contents
#10. Criminal Psychologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $33,000 per year
- High Range: $98,000 per year
- Median Pay: $56,624 per year
What do they do?
A criminal psychologist is a mental health professional who studies the connection between crime and behavior. They use their knowledge to help law enforcement agencies solve crimes and prevent future ones from happening.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become a criminal psychologist, you must have a degree in psychology or a related field. You should also have experience working with law enforcement agencies and knowledge of criminal behavior.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Many law enforcement agencies are hiring for this position. You may also find work with a private company or non-profit organization that provides services to the criminal justice system.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you want to get this job, you should earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field and then work for law enforcement. After gaining experience in this field, you can apply for a job as a psychologist in law enforcement.
What’s it like to be a criminal psychologist?
#9. Police Officers
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $40,000 per year
- High Range: $96,000 per year
- Median Pay: $61,781 per year
What do they do?
Police officers are responsible for protecting people’s safety and enforcing the law. They investigate crimes, respond to calls for help and perform other duties such as patrolling neighborhoods on foot or in their vehicles.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Police officers typically need a high school diploma or GED and some college. They also need to take a physical fitness test and complete training at the police academy.
Some states require that applicants have completed at least one year of college before they can apply for a job as a law enforcement officer.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Police officers work for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Local police departments are the most common employer of police officers.
What is the best way to get this job?
To become a police officer, you must go through the application process for your state’s police academy. You can find more information about this by contacting your local law enforcement agency.
Should you become a police officer?
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#8. Probation Officers
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $39,000 per year
- High Range: $100,000 per year
- Median Pay: $62,356 per year
What do they do?
Probation officers provide supervision and rehabilitation services to people who have been convicted of crimes. They help these individuals by providing counseling, monitoring their activities, and enforcing probation rules.
These law enforcement professionals also keep records of offenders, including information about their cases. This helps them determine if they are complying with the terms of their sentence.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most jurisdictions require that probation officers have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or another related field.
Additionally, they may need to complete training courses in topics such as juvenile delinquency, probation laws and procedures, and special populations.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Probation officers can find jobs with local, state, and federal governments, as well as other law enforcement agencies. They may also be employed by nonprofit organizations that provide services to offenders.
What is the best way to get this job?
Probation officers can get started by applying for a position with the state department of corrections or a law enforcement agency.Â
Most jurisdictions require candidates to have some experience working with offenders, either as part of an internship or volunteer position.
What’s it like to be a probation officer?
#7. Forensic Accountant
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $48,000 per year
- High Range: $102,000 per year
- Median Pay: $68,986 per year
What do they do?
Forensic accountants are financial specialists who specialize in investigating and prosecuting white-collar crimes. They work with law enforcement agencies to uncover fraud and embezzlement.Â
These professionals may also assist lawyers in defending people accused of financial crimes.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
This job requires a graduate degree in accounting or a related field. Some employers may also look for candidates with a law enforcement or criminal justice background.
Who’s hiring for this job?
A forensic accountant may work for a government agency or private firm specializing in white-collar crime investigations.
What is the best way to get this job?
To get a job as a forensic accountant, you’ll need to graduate from college and find an employer looking for someone with your skills. You can also try volunteering at an organization that deals with financial fraud cases.
What’s it like to be a forensic accountant?
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#6. Police Sergeant
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $46,000 per year
- High Range: $118,000 per year
- Median Pay: $70,500 per year
What do they do?
Police sergeants make up the highest-ranking officers in a police department. They’re responsible for managing a team of patrol officers, ensuring that their work meets the agency’s standards.
These law enforcement agents may also oversee investigations into crimes such as burglaries, traffic accidents, and major crimes like murder.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Police sergeants typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Since this is not an entry-level position, most police sergeants have at least five years of experience. Others hold law enforcement-related certifications.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Police departments, sheriff’s offices, and state police agencies are all looking for police sergeants. Local governments often hire these law enforcement agents to oversee patrol officers or provide leadership in investigations.
What is the best way to get this job?
One of the best ways to get this job is to become a police officer. Most agencies require at least two years of experience in law enforcement, and some may require additional education.Â
Look for police officer jobs at local police departments and sheriff’s offices. Then work your way up the ranks to become a police sergeant.
What’s it like to be a police sergeant?
#5. Security Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $47,000 per year
- High Range: $132,000 per year
- Median Pay: $73,415 per year
What do they do?
Law enforcement security managers are responsible for maintaining security at their facilities, whether they’re commercial or residential. They ensure employees follow company policies and that everyone is aware of potential threats.
These law enforcement professionals must also be aware of the latest crime trends in their area to prepare for any attacks on their property.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Typically, law enforcement security managers have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a similar field. They also need skills in management and customer service.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Large companies, such as banks and retail stores, employ security managers. Private security companies also hire law enforcement security managers to oversee their security staff.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can apply for an entry-level position as a security guard with a high school diploma. You may need to work your way up through the ranks of security management positions.
What’s it like to be a security manager?
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#4. Detective
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $45,000 per year
- High Range: $131,000 per year
- Median Pay: $76,626 per year
What do they do?
A detective is a police officer who investigates crimes. They may be called upon to solve a case or lead the investigation, depending on their rank within the department.
A detective’s duties include:
- Collecting evidence at the scene of a crime,
- Interviewing witnesses and suspects,
- Researching records in search of clues,
- Writing reports detailing findings,
- Presenting them in court proceedings.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Typically, a detective will have at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or law enforcement.Â
Some agencies may require an advanced degree, such as a master’s in forensics. They must also be familiar with the legal system because they may testify during court proceedings.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Law enforcement agencies such as police departments and sheriff’s offices, federal agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Marshals and Drug Enforcement Agency, private investigation firms, and attorneys’ offices are all potential employers of detectives.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can get a job as a detective by completing an education program, such as one in criminal justice or law enforcement. You could also become a police officer and work your way up through the ranks to become a detective.
What’s it like to be a detective?
#3. Border Patrol Agent
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $47,000 per year
- High Range: $133,000 per year
- Median Pay: $78,545 per year
What do they do?
Border Patrol agents serve as law enforcement officials at the border of a country. Duties can include preventing illegal entry into the country and apprehending criminals who have illegally entered or are trying to leave.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Border patrol agents usually need a criminal justice degree, law enforcement, or another relevant field. Many agencies also require that candidates have previous experience working with law enforcement officials.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Border patrol agents are employed by federal and local governments, as well as private companies. The U.S. Border Patrol is the country’s largest employer of border patrol agents.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get this job is by applying directly through the U.S. Border Patrol website. Candidates should have at least a high school diploma or GED, as well as valid driver’s licenses and clean criminal records.
Should you become a border patrol agent?
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#2. Judge Advocate
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $48,000 per year
- High Range: $141,000 per year
- Median Pay: $82,523 per year
What do they do?
A judge advocate is a legal advisor to the military. They provide advice and assistance with legal issues that soldiers may encounter.Â
For example, they may help prosecute military members accused of crimes or negotiate agreements with local governments during overseas deployments.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become a judge advocate, you must complete a bachelor’s degree. You can then apply to law school and take the bar exam after graduating. A degree in history or criminal justice could be helpful if you want to work in this field.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Judge advocates work at military installations and bases and in the field with soldiers. The branch of the military you serve in will determine where you work and what your duties are.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can join the military as an enlisted soldier and apply to become a judge advocate after completing basic training. If you do not have prior military experience, you can apply directly to law school and then take the bar exam after graduation.
What’s it like to be a judge advocate?
#1. Forensic Analyst
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $40,000 per year
- High Range: $150,000 per year
- Median Pay: $86,156 per year
What do they do?
The role of a forensic analyst is to collect, preserve and analyze evidence. This could include DNA samples and fingerprints. Local governments often employ forensic analysts to help solve crimes, such as murders or sexual assaults.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become a forensic analyst may need a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, or biology. You may also need to take courses in criminal justice and forensics.
Who’s hiring for this job?
You can find job openings for forensic analysts at local and state police departments, medical examiner offices, and crime laboratories.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to become a forensic analyst is to get a job as an entry-level technician at the local crime lab. As you gain experience, move up through the ranks and eventually specialize in one area of forensics, such as DNA testing.
What’s it like to be a forensic analyst?
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Conclusion
The highest-paying law enforcement jobs are all about the location, education, and experience you have in that area.
Depending on where you are, there are a lot of opportunities to make money in law enforcement. But it’s important to know which ones will set you up for success in the long term.
We hope this article has helped you find well-paying law enforcement jobs that are perfect for you. If you have any questions about this topic, don’t hesitate to coment below.
