Located in the northeastern part of the country, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States. Major cities such as Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Elizabeth are perfect for those who want well-paying criminal justice jobs. New Jersey can be a very intense place to live, with so many people in each city and town, but it is also a very rewarding life.
A criminal justice degree gives a person plenty of options for their future career. Many go on to serve the public, by being police officers or state troopers. Meanwhile, others will go on to study law and become criminal lawyers. It is also possible to work as a crime scene investigator or a private investigator through your criminal justice degree.
Featured Schools
Criminal Justice Careers in New Jersey
Those who wanted an entrée into law enforcement may be interested in criminal justice jobs in New Jersey. Many use their degree to find entry-level criminal justice jobs in New Jersey and then continue their education and become lawyers, judges, or other jobs within the criminal justice system. There is a wide range of different positions available to those that have pursued their criminal justice degree. All you have to do is google jobs in this category and an incredible number of jobs come up in the New Jersey area.
So, for those looking for a long-term career, with the opportunity to advance, this may be a worthwhile opportunity. Because there are so many jobs that require a criminal justice degree, if the first criminal justice job does not work out, there are many other job options.
Benefits of a Career in Criminal Justice:
Working in law enforcement and criminal justice is a difficult job, but also comes with great rewards. Those choosing to work for the court system will have many benefits. They will be working within the highest standards when it comes to integrity and fairness.
The New Jersey court system currently has 9,000 employees that work each day on the six million municipal court cases heard each year. Many of these cases result in improving the lives of individuals, families, and businesses that need a resolution to problems and unlawful issues.
As a member of the New Jersey criminal justice system, you will be helping many people from all walks of life. In return, employees get a very generous compensation package, which typically includes:
- Highly competitive pay
- Pension and health plans
- On-the-job-training in many cases
- Mentoring and professional development
- Many days off for holidays
- Paid vacation
Compared to other areas across the country, New Jersey offers salaries that are considerably higher than locations across the U.S. So those looking into a career in law enforcement and criminal justice in the state of New Jersey are well compensated in both salary and benefits. And at the end of each day, they know that they’ve done something to help others.
Criminal Justice Jobs in New Jersey:
According to Criminal Justice Degree Hub, those that pursue a criminal justice degree have many choices when it comes to their career.
Considering both compensation and demand, here are some of the top criminal justice jobs for those with a bachelor’s degree:
- Law enforcement
- Corrections/probation officer
- Teacher/trainer
- State and federal court worker
- Forensic science
- This includes ballistics investigator, blood splatter analyst, crime scene detective, criminology expert, DNA researcher, and analyst, forensic odontologist, detective/investigator, profiler
- Private security guard
- Social services
- Legal assistant
- Paralegal
- Compliance manager
- Human resource manager
There are other jobs available within the criminal justice system, but these are some top jobs when it comes to being in demand and remuneration.
Entry Level Criminal Justice Jobs in New Jersey:
Many like to begin their careers with internships. This is a great way to learn while getting experience in your chosen field. Just take a look at all the criminal justice jobs listed on Rutgers’s University job board. There are currently over 15 different internships available to those studying criminal justice. Many internships are unpaid, but often, if an intern shows their knowledge and works hard, they may pay or make the intern a full-time employee upon graduation.
If you are looking to get your foot in the door for New Jersey criminal justice jobs, starting with an internship can be an incredibly wise move toward achieving your career goal.
Criminal Justice Salary in New Jersey:
Because the criminal justice career has so many options, there are different salaries one can expect to garner depending on the career path one chooses to take.
Here is an Overview of Different Criminal Justice Careers in New Jersey and Salaries:
- Detectives and investigators: $100,440
- Police officers: $88,220
- Correctional officers: $68,910
- Crime scene investigators: $58,080
It is interesting to note that compared to nation equivalents, New Jersey’s pay scale is nearly $20,000 more than the national average for each of these jobs.
Do You Want to Make a Difference?
Careers in criminal justice are not for everyone because it can be incredibly challenging. But there are many benefits as well. Those that choose this field are responsible for protecting and enhancing the lives of many that have been treated unlawfully.
Those that want to make a difference in the world and other peoples’ lives often choose careers in criminal justice, where they can see the difference they make.
Related:
Best States for a Criminal Justice Career
Best Cities for a Criminal Justice Career
Best Online Associate’s in Criminal Justice
