Your degree doesn’t dictate your future salary, but it is a strong indicator.

After graduation, criminal justice graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $75,099, while the bottom 20% make closer to $35,381. The median grad salary is $51,547.

Criminal Justice graduate salaries over time

The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is $30,942, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $45,800.

This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:

Wage ($USD)

Wage Range Median Wage

Years of work experience

Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in criminal justice is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career

Overview

Discover what you’ll learn—and what you can do after you graduate.

Read about Overview