Law Enforcement Career?

Question

I plan on obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in (Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement-). Which Law Enforcement Job in particular, on an average scale will pay me the most starting off and over several years. Example, ATF, Highway Patrol.State Police. blah blah.

And please don't tell me F.B.I because..... I know they get paid alot, but not everyone is as easily qualified to be a fed.

Thanks!!!

This is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Answer 1

I read all the answers before me. There were a couple of good ones BECAUSE they tell you to think about things other than just salary.
One way I used to tell young cops wanting to hire on to a big agency because of the hi pay, look at the work load. How much are you paid per call? Per report? Per arrest? The larger agencies often pay more because you earn it! And along with the increased work load comes an increase in the number of hours you spend in court. You are compensated for court time (quite well actually) BUT how many of your days off each month are you willing to give up? When you have a family, do you want to be an absent parent or would you prefer to be more involved with the upbringing of you kids?
If you are on a large agency, it increases the likelihood you are working in a higher populated area which equates to a much higher cost of living. You can't afford to live in the city you protect. Do you want to drive a couple hours 1 way to work so that you can afford a decent residence?
One option to somewhat overcome the problems is to work for a state agency but be assigned to a smaller populated area. Such as in CA, the CHP get paid pretty darn good. There is little to no salary difference whether you are assigned LA where houses cost something like 1 mill, or if you are assigned to the middle of the state (Fresno, Madera, Tulare counties) where houses cost maybe 300 thou.
Or if you are not claustrophobic, there are about 10% of the CA Department of Corrections "officers" who make over 100 G's a year. That includes a lot of OT. But, of course, you are only an officer while on duty. As soon as you leave the facility, your peace officer powers stop. (They don't like to be reminded of that.)
The Fed jobs are not that well paid. I had a DEA friend. She made less 3 yrs on the job than I made my 1st year.
Perhaps the best paid would be to go on & get a doctorate then teach at a university. Those folks get paid VERY well after a few years, do not work graveyard shift, get great benefits, & once they get tenure, they can't hardly be fired!

Bottom line --- think it all through carefully. A high salary means little to your spouse when you're not home anyway. There is a reason why a lot of big city cops' kids are on the edge.

Answer 2

The FBI is one of the lowest paid LE jobs. In reality, the FBI is not a LE agency, it is a investigative agency. If you want to get into federal LE, go with the Marshal Service. (not the Sky Marshals, they are merely one step up from a security guard)

If you want to patrol the streets (Adam 12, Dragnet, etc), become a big city cop. If you like the open (or crowded) highway and don't mind peeling kids off of the pavement on Xmas day, become a highway patrol officer.

Mid sized cities usually pay the most (especially in California). Those cities with a medium industrial base (industry has a much higher tax base than single family homes).

Bottom line for cop pay in California

1. FEDS get paid the least. They have the worst pensions
2. Big city police departments offer the best training and promotional opportunities. They don't always pay the best.
3. CHP is a good department but you will be spending 90% of your career on the road and you will be transferred to multiple areas in the state during your career
4. CDOC pays well, has an excellent retirement plan, but you have to work with scrotes and dirt bags (some of them other DOC officers)

Answer 3

Law Enforcement Career w/ Felony Record.?=NOPE!

Answer 4

There are many different law enforcement officer jobs that you could consider trying to get. Some job titles that you could consider include conservation officer, constable, correctional officer, criminal investigator, deputy sheriff, humane law enforcement officer, game warden, marshal, park ranger, police officer, probation officer, parole officer, and special agent. Consider local, county, state, and federal jobs. Law enforcement officer pay varies, sometimes a lot, depending on the law enforcement agency. Law enforcement officer pay can also depend on things such as years of service, rank, how much education an officer has, and overtime. When considering pay, you should also consider benefits and cost of living.

Answer 5

So, first things first -- If you are getting into police work for the money, you've got to reassess your priorities!

But - typically the higher paying agencies are the state police. Just look for the agencies that require the most credentials. Don't think you can't be a fed. There's a huge market for them, but you'll typically need to have some kind fo sworn enforcement experience if you only have a BA. Get the job, do it for a couple years and move onto an FBI role if you are ambitious. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

It depends on where you live. Here in Maryland, the State Police, and other local departments don't care if you have a degree or not and aren't required. I would say become a police officer and have them pay for your school. What happens when you get your degree in CJ, and you are on a routine patrol and you get in a accident? Your career is over and you have a degree that basically only deals with Law Enforcement. By the way you get a AA degree in CJ from the academy. Like I said join a PD, and have them pay for your school and get a degree in something else.

Answer 7

Its all relative to where your applying. If you want the most money, be a cop in a big city. Starting pay is around 53,000 in Milwaukee. Im not sure about other large cities. But thats before you take into cosiderations the cost of living.
You sound like you want a job in CJ for money. To be honest, its really not going to happen right away. I have my Masters in CJ and my bachelors in sociology. Im a cop and I make about 39 before taxes.
You should be in the field for the service you provide and the satisfaction you receive. While the money is good and retirement is great, you wont be rich right away nor will you be wealthy.
Good luck

Answer 8

Try WWW.fedjobs.com
I would say a great place to begin would be in the military CID command as an investigator.

Answer 9

The State Police pays the best of the non-Federal jobs, then large municipal police departments. Unfortunately, county sheriff's departments pay the least. ATF and Border Patrol both pay well.

Answer 10

Federal Bureau of Investigation will be the best law enforcement agency for your career.