10 of the Best Jobs in Law Enforcement
Want to become a hero? Find the law enforcement job that best suits your goals.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming the hero that you see in the movies? If your answer is “yes,” you’ll find tons of jobs in law enforcement that can make that dream come true. But the work isn’t always what you see in your favorite action film. When you work in law enforcement, you get to help people and have a positive impact on your community.
Whether you aspire to protect your community or are simply trying to find out what to do with that criminal justice degree, Monster can help you find a law enforcement career that aligns with your goals.
Best Jobs in Law Enforcement
Below, we have outlined 10 of the top jobs in law enforcement. Read on to learn about the responsibilities and requirements for each job, as well as how much you’ll make.
The Best Police Careers
First, we’ll go over the best police jobs in law enforcement, including police officers, FBI agents, sheriffs, police chiefs, and criminal investigators.
1. Police Officer
What you’d do: Police officers protect lives and property in local jurisdictions. As a police officer, you’ll respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, perform traffic stops, patrol assigned locations, search databases for warrants and records, observe people and activities, conduct arrests, and prepare criminal cases for the courtroom.
What you’d need: You need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and academy training to become a police officer. However, some jurisdictions and departments prefer candidates who have a college education with coursework in criminal justice and law enforcement. Academy training can take up to six months to complete and includes coursework in local laws, constitutional law, ethics, and civil rights. You’ll also need to complete training in traffic control, patrol, firearms, self-defense, emergency response, and first aid. Plus, you’ll be able to move up into more advanced police careers, such as the ones mentioned below.
What you’d make: Police officers typically earn between $31,435 and $66,420 per year. However, salaries often differ by state and local jurisdiction. For example, the median salary for police officers in Los Angeles is $61,110 per year, while it’s $44,446 in Boston.
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2. FBI Agent
What you’d do: Being an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is one of the most important jobs in law enforcement. When you work as an FBI agent, you’ll protect the public from drug and human traffickers, terrorists, hackers, and other high-profile criminals. Your typical duties would include gathering information from suspects and witnesses, conducting surveillance, collecting evidence from crime scenes, executing search warrants, testifying in federal court, and much more.
What you’d need: Want to work as an FBI agent? First, you’ll need to be between the ages of 23 and 36, be a U.S. citizen, have at least a bachelor’s degree with two years of full-time professional work experience (only one year if you have a master’s degree), hold a valid driver’s license, and have six months of driving experience. Then, you’ll need to undergo the Special Agent Selection System screening and testing process, which involves several phases. Lastly, you’ll be required to complete 20 weeks of training at the FBI National Academy.
What you’d make: The median salary for FBI agents is $64,610 per year, but that could range from $40,190 to $102,530.
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3. Sheriff
What you’d do: A sheriff is an elected official who is responsible for enforcing the law within a county. Sheriffs typically conduct the same duties as local police officers. However, they also identify and monitor criminal activity within their counties and assist local police departments with investigations, arrests, and crime scenes.
What you’d need: If you want to become a sheriff, you need at least a high school diploma (or equivalent). You’ll also need to complete police academy training and work as a police officer for at least one year. Many sheriffs start out as sheriff deputies and/or complete a college degree in criminal justice. Additionally, you’ll need to live in the county you plan on working in, pass a background check and physical fitness exam, and take a county-issued exam. Lastly, you’ll need to file your credentials with your local courthouse and run a successful campaign to get elected.
What you’d make: As a sheriff, you could earn anywhere from $32,449 to $69,547 per year. However, that usually depends on which district you work in. For example, sheriffs in Fort Collins, CO, earn a median salary of $59,542, while sheriffs in Wichita, KS, typically earn $33,606 per year.
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4. Police Chief
What you’d do: Police chiefs typically work for local police departments, coordinating and directing the activities of regular police officers. As the highest-ranking officer in your police department, you’ll train and evaluate regular officers, assign casework, and assess your department’s overall success at providing community safety.
What you’d need: While you need at least a bachelor’s degree to be considered for a police chief position, most candidates hold a master’s degree in criminal justice. Additionally, you’ll need at least five years of law enforcement experience, three years of police administration experience, and the ability to pass a standard psychiatric and physical test. You must also be appointed by a mayor or other local official.
What you’d make: Police chief jobs pay a median salary of $59,270 per year. Salaries may range from $40,357 to $103,430 yearly.
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5. Criminal Investigator
What you’d do: When you work as a criminal investigator, you’ll have one of the most important jobs in law enforcement: gathering evidence and solving crimes. Your typical responsibilities would include collecting evidence from crime scenes, analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses, conducting surveillance on suspects, obtaining warrants, creating detailed criminal reports, and testifying in court.
What you’d need: You need at least an associate degree in criminal justice or law enforcement to become a criminal investigator. However, many candidates have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. You will also need to complete training at a police academy and work as a police officer for 3-5 years before making the transition to a criminal investigator position.
What you’d make: Criminal investigators earn between $34,346 and $111,811 per year.
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The Best Law Enforcement Careers in the Courtroom
If you’re not interested in joining the police force, you may want to look into courtroom jobs in law enforcement, such as judges, district attorneys, and forensic psychologists.
6. Judge or Magistrate
What you’d do: As a judge or magistrate, you’ll have one of the highest careers in law enforcement. Your primary duties will include presiding over trials and hearings and handling administrative, civil, and criminal disputes in the courtroom. Judges also listen to opposing courtroom arguments, providing a verdict based on the admissibility of evidence, determining guilt and innocence, and making decisions on liability and damages.
What you’d need: To become a judge, you’ll need to first complete a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, political science, or a related field. Then, you’ll need to complete law school and earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree (which usually takes 3-5 years), pass your state’s bar exam, gain legal experience as an attorney, and apply for a judgeship in your state. Lastly, you’ll need to either be appointed by your state’s governor or elected to become a judge.
What you’d make: Judges typically earn $59,083 per year. But judge salaries can go as high as $105,544 yearly.
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7. District Attorney
What you’d do: Looking for law enforcement careers in the courtroom? Consider becoming a district attorney (DA). A DA is a legal professional who acts on behalf of a particular district. DAs assist with civil cases and prosecute criminals. They also recommend sentences, offer plea bargains, litigate appeals, and initiate further investigations to find additional evidence of criminal behavior.
What you’d need: To become a DA, you’ll first need a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. Then, you’ll need to attend law school, earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, pass your state’s bar exam, and obtain five years of experience in state prosecution.
What you’d make: As a district attorney, you could make anywhere from $55,439 to $124,908 per year.
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8. Forensic Psychologist
What you’d do: As a forensic psychologist, you would use psychological principles to assist judges and attorneys with understanding the psychology involved in a family, civil, or criminal case. Additionally, forensic psychologists question suspects, victims, and witnesses to gain more insight into the psychological aspect of a case. They also study the behaviors, patterns, and demographics surrounding certain crimes.
What you’d need: Forensic psychologist jobs typically require a Ph.D. or doctorate in psychology or forensic psychology. You’ll also need to pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, pass a state exam, and obtain your state license. These are just the minimum requirements, however. Many forensic psychologists have completed the American Board of Professional Psychology special board certification program and a fellowship at a college or university.
What you’d make: When you work as a forensic psychologist, expect to earn between $45,361 and $107,248 per year.
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Other Careers in Law Enforcement
There are also law enforcement careers outside of the courtroom and the police station. A couple of the most popular careers in law enforcement are probation officer and border patrol agent.
9. Probation Officer
What you’d do: As one of the most crucial jobs in law enforcement, probation officers do their part to ensure that law offenders on probation don’t pose a danger to the public. They also evaluate probationers to determine the best course of rehabilitation and supervise their activity and locations. Probation officers testify in court, create reports, and administer drug tests on probationers.
What you’d need: Probation officers need at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field. They also need to complete 6 to 12 months of training, pass a certification test, and work as trainees for up to one year.
What you’d make: Probation officers earn a median yearly salary of $46,608. However, probation officer pay can range from $34,653 to $71,332 per year.
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10. Border Patrol Agent
What you’d do: Do you want to find jobs in law enforcement securing international borders and coastal ports of entry? When you work as a border agent, you’ll patrol the borders, conduct searches, perform vehicle checks, check identification and passports, and conduct surveillance on points of entry and areas where entry is prohibited.
What you’d need: To become a border patrol agent, you’ll need U.S. citizenship, a valid driver’s license, at least three years of U.S. residency, eligibility to carry a firearm, willingness to travel, and a referral for selection prior to your 40th birthday. You also need to pass the application process, which involves an entrance exam, background investigation, medical exam, physical fitness evaluation, structured interview, polygraph test, drug test, and six months of training at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy.
What you’d make: Border patrol agents earn a median annual salary of $105,500.
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Investigate Your Law Enforcement Career Options on Monster
Do any of these law enforcement jobs align with your career goals? If so, get a warrant for your job search on Monster by creating your free profile. We’ll make your resume accessible to hiring manager and keep you in the know about new jobs in law enforcement, so you can be among the first to apply.