The United States Department of Labor reported that the rate of job growth for various jobs related to criminal justice is increasing at a moderate to faster than average rate. Examples of criminal justice occupations that will be experiencing continuous national growth during the period of 2010 to 2020 include probation officers, correctional officers, correctional supervisors, correctional treatment specialists, police officers, detectives, special agents, private security guards, and gaming officers. One of the most salient reasons for this growing national demand centers upon the aging workforce in both the public and private sector of criminal justice-related occupations. With thousands of criminal justice practitioners set to retire in the next ten years, more mid to upper-level supervisory positions will become available for individuals with the appropriate level of education.[1]Hence, opportunities for promotion and growth within these fields will be more easily attainable in the future of law enforcement for those seeking employment in the field of criminal justice.
[1]Bureau of Justice Statistics, Justice Expenditure and Employment in the United States, 2007. Washington, D.C. Department of Justice, September 2010.
| Employment | Education | Percent Growth* |
| Crime Scene Examiner | Bachelor degree and experience or master degree required for professional growth and promotion | 20% |
| Detectives | Bachelor degree and experience or master degree required for professional growth and promotion | 10% |
| Correctional Officer | Post-Secondary Education required. The correctional industry is one of the more accelerated fields for upward & professional growth | 9% |
| Probation Officer | Bachelor degree and experience or master degree required for professional growth and promotion | 19% |
| Private Investigator | Requirements vary by state | 22% |
| Paralegal & Court Reporters | Bachelor degree required by most employers, graduate education or terminal degree preferred | 28% |
| Lawyers | Bachelor/Master degree and law school requirements | 13% |
| Gaming and Surveillance | Bachelor degree and experience or master degree required for professional growth and promotion | 14% |
| Policing/Police Officers | Bachelor degree and experience or master degree required for professional growth and promotion | 10% |
| Air Marshal | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Bailiff | Legal | Bachelor’s |
| Border Patrol Agent | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| CIA Analyst | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| CIA Officer | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Computer Forensics Investigator | Forensics | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Conservation Officer | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Correctional Officer | Corrections | Bachelor’s |
| Correctional Treatment Specialist | Corrections | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Court Clerk | Legal | Associate’s |
| Crime Lab Analyst | Forensics | Bachelor’s |
| Crime Scene Investigator | Forensics/Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Criminal Investigator | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Criminal Law Paralegal | Legal | Associate’s to Bachelor’s |
| Customs and Border Protection Officer | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s |
| DEA Agent | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Deputy Sheriff | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Emergency Management Director | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| FBI Agent | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Fire Investigator | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Forensic Accountant | Forensics | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Forensic Anthropologist | Forensics | Master’s |
| Forensic Ballistics Expert | Forensics | Bachelor’s |
| Forensic Nurse | Forensics | Associate’s to Bachelor’s |
| Forensic Psychologist | Forensics | Doctorate |
| Fraud Investigator | Private Sector | High School to Bachelor’s |
| Homicide Detective | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| ICE Agent | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Information Security Analyst | Private Sector | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Juvenile Probation Officer | Corrections | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Lawyer | Legal | Doctorate/ Law School |
| Narcotics Officer | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Paralegal | Legal | Associate’s to Bachelor’s |
| Police Officer | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Private Investigator | Private Sector | Bachelor’s |
| Probation Officer | Corrections | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Secret Service Agent | Homeland Security | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| State Trooper | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor | Corrections | Master’s |
| Transit Police | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| United States Park Police | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s |
| US Marshal | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s to Master’s |
| Victims Advocate | Law Enforcement | Bachelor’s to Master’s |