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Criminologists use social patterns, statistics, and psychology to analyze the behaviors of criminals and the methods used by criminals to help predict and prevent criminal behavior from occurring in the future.
Psychological profiling plays an important role in the profession as well.
In addition, a criminologist will evaluate how different methods of law enforcement affect crime rates.
A criminologist will use their education in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies or work as college professors.
In addition, criminologists are employed by the FBI, the Secret Service of the United States, and other federal and state agencies.
Requirements
The majority of criminologists have a bachelor’s degree in either sociology or psychology.
Many criminologists often hold a Ph.D. or master’s degree in one of the behavioral sciences as well.
In addition, a criminologist has to be an expert in analyzing statistics and crime rates.
They must be able to write reports that are clear and thorough in order to share their findings and knowledge.
For this reason, it is recommended that an individual interested in a career as a criminologist take courses in writing, computer science, and statistics.
Becoming a Criminologist
The logical place to start gaining the necessary skills to become a criminologist is by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, or psychology.
Individuals who are currently working in corrections, or law enforcement, or have related training and experience, may only need to complete a bachelor’s degree in order to pursue a criminologist career.
In addition, some states require criminologists to become licensed while other states do not.
It is important to look into the requirements of your particular state when pursuing a career in this field.
To be competitive in the field, it is recommended that a person pursue a graduate degree in criminal justice, sociology, or psychology, as most people working in this field have at least a master’s degree in one of these subject areas.
Work experience may be substituted for education in some areas.
There are degree programs available at most major colleges and universities, both on campus and online.
When choosing a college, it is important to make sure that the program that is being pursued is accredited, especially for the pursuit of a graduate degree.
Joining an association can also help you pursue your career further.
U.S. Average Salary: $106,710
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 30 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| California | 840 | $115,330 | $55.45 | $153,880 | $78,120 |
| Florida | 190 | $71,450 | $34.35 | $164,400 | $30,330 |
| Illinois | ** | $120,320 | $57.85 | $183,000 | $68,350 |
| Maryland | 150 | $87,960 | $42.29 | $115,880 | $66,220 |
| Massachusetts | 460 | $134,080 | $64.46 | $167,000 | $80,460 |
| Michigan | 70 | $70,290 | $33.79 | $105,340 | $49,640 |
| Minnesota | 40 | $77,470 | $37.25 | $88,650 | $65,390 |
| New York | ** | $105,570 | $50.76 | $173,220 | $73,760 |
| North Carolina | 270 | $118,700 | $57.07 | $175,560 | $63,580 |
| Ohio | 100 | $77,700 | $37.35 | $98,450 | $62,900 |
| Oklahoma | 40 | $65,930 | $31.70 | $80,430 | $48,790 |
| Texas | ** | $68,050 | $32.72 | $65,450 | $58,610 |
| Washington | 120 | $90,490 | $43.50 | $130,820 | $64,900 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
Massachusetts tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $134,080.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Sociologists, OCC Code 19-3041, BLS.* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Job and Career Opportunities in Criminology
Criminologists are technically referred to as sociologists and can be employed in several different areas.
There are jobs for criminologists who have graduate degrees in academia, working as professors or conducting research.
Most commonly, a criminologist will work in a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States, the median salary for a criminologist who works in law enforcement is approximately $101,690 (2024).
Those who work in the academic environment earn anywhere from $70,000 to over $100,000.
Generally, the more education and experience an individual has in the field, the higher the salary a person can earn.
Find Criminal Justice Schools by State
- AL Alabama
- AK Alaska
- AZ Arizona
- AR Arkansas
- CA California
- CO Colorado
- CT Connecticut
- DE Delaware
- FL Florida
- GA Georgia
- HI Hawaii
- ID Idaho
- IL Illinois
- IN Indiana
- IA Iowa
- KS Kansas
- KY Kentucky
- LA Louisiana
- ME Maine
- MD Maryland
- MA Massachusetts
- MI Michigan
- MN Minnesota
- MS Mississippi
- MO Missouri
- MT Montana
- NE Nebraska
- NV Nevada
- NH New Hampshire
- NJ New Jersey
- NM New Mexico
- NY New York
- NC North Carolina
- ND North Dakota
- OH Ohio
- OK Oklahoma
- OR Oregon
- PA Pennsylvania
- RI Rhode Island
- SC South Carolina
- SD South Dakota
- TN Tennessee
- TX Texas
- UT Utah
- VT Vermont
- VA Virginia
- WA Washington
- WV West Virginia
- WI Wisconsin
- WY Wyoming
Notable Resources
- Criminal Justice Vs. Criminology: Degree Program Differences
- How Much Does it Cost to Become a Criminologist?
- 10 Most Affordable Criminal Justice Degree Programs
- 8 Best Online Associate’s in Criminal Justice Programs
- 10 Best Online Criminal Justice Certificate Programs
- 10 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Programs
- 10 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs
- 11 Highest-Paying Law Enforcement Jobs
- 10 Highest-Paying Forensics Jobs
- 15 Highest-Paying Criminology Jobs
- How Long Does it Take to Complete a Degree in Criminal Justice?
- Can a Convicted Felon Pursue a Career in Criminal Justice?
- 19 Best Entry-Level Criminal Justice Jobs
- Is a Criminal Justice Degree Worth It?
- 15 Pros and Cons of Being a Criminologist
- How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator
- Top 5 Best Schools for Specializing in Criminal Law
This guide provides such a well-rounded explanation of what criminologists actually do. Before reading this, I only had a vague idea that it involved studying crime, but I didn’t realize how deeply involved they are in analyzing data, shaping policy, and working with law enforcement.
This post really opened my eyes to the diversity within the criminology profession. It’s fascinating to see how criminologists play a role in preventing crime by using statistical analysis and behavioral science instead of being involved in direct enforcement.
This was such an informative read! I’ve always been fascinated by the psychology behind criminal behavior, and this guide gave me a clear understanding of what criminologists actually do beyond what we see in TV shows.
As someone currently majoring in sociology, I found this post extremely helpful in clarifying how my degree could align with a future in criminology.
The tips on how to build a career path, starting from undergraduate studies to gaining field experience, were incredibly useful. It’s nice to see a career that blends critical thinking, public service, and research.
I didn’t realize criminology leaned so heavily on analyzing trends and developing crime prevention strategies. I also loved the mention of how criminologists can work internationally or influence national policy.