Compensation
Median Pay
$76,590
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$76,590
Projected Growth
2.0%
Annual Openings
1,200
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
16,200
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
2.0%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
1,200
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Speaking & listening
94 / 100
94%
Adaptability
92 / 100
92%
Computers & information technology
87 / 100
87%
Writing & reading
87 / 100
87%
Critical & analytical thinking
78 / 100
78%
Creativity & innovation
76 / 100
76%
Problem solving & decision making
72 / 100
72%
Interpersonal
61 / 100
61%
Customer service
58 / 100
58%
Leadership
51 / 100
51%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers at the postsecondary level focus on educating students in criminal justice topics within colleges and universities. With national employment of about 16,000 and a projected growth rate of 2.0%, this field offers steady professional opportunities. Around 1,000 annual openings suggest ongoing demand from new, expanding, and replacement positions. The national median annual salary of $71,470 indicates solid earning potential, with some states and metro areas offering notably higher pay. This career typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced academic and professional preparation involved. Success in this role draws on a broad skill set, including speaking and listening, writing and reading, critical and analytical thinking, and computers and information technology. Additional strengths in problem solving, decision making, leadership, interpersonal skills, creativity, and adaptability also support long-term success. For individuals interested in an academic career connected to criminal justice and law enforcement, this occupation provides a structured path with clear educational expectations and defined labor-market indicators.
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The national median annual salary for criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary, is $71,470. However, pay varies considerably by location. Among the top states, median salaries range from $72,700 in Washington to $139,720 in California, with Colorado also standing out at $122,050. Massachusetts and New York fall between these levels, at $79,500 and $82,770 respectively. Metro-level data shows even more variation. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area reports a median salary of $170,070, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim offers $103,870. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro is at $86,690, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton at $85,560. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro lists $74,440. These figures indicate that educators in certain states and large metro areas can earn substantially more than the national median, making geographic choice a key factor in long-term earning potential for this career.
Job Outlook for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary, have national employment of about 16,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 2.0%. This same 2.0% growth rate appears in the top listed states and metro areas, suggesting a consistent growth pattern across many leading markets. With approximately 1,000 annual openings, there is a steady flow of opportunities, which may include new positions as well as roles created by turnover and retirements. The combination of current employment size and ongoing openings indicates that individuals entering this field can expect a recurring need for qualified educators. For those planning a long-term academic career in criminal justice and law enforcement education, the data points to gradual expansion rather than rapid shifts, giving prospective teachers a relatively stable planning horizon when considering advanced education and career moves.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location plays a major role in the career landscape for criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $139,720 and employment of 1,460, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts also show strong opportunity scores of 65.78 and 65.87, with median salaries of $82,770 and $79,500 and employment levels of 880 and 380 respectively. Colorado and Washington offer median salaries of $122,050 and $72,700, with opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area leads with an opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $86,690, and employment of 920. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont combines a very high median salary of $170,070 with a 68.75 opportunity score. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria also present solid combinations of employment, salary, and opportunity scores, giving candidates a range of strong urban options to consider.
Education for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
This career typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced expertise expected of postsecondary criminal justice and law enforcement teachers. The educational pathway prepares individuals to teach at the college or university level and to work effectively in academic environments. Success in this role is closely tied to a diverse skill set. Speaking and listening skills support effective classroom communication, while writing and reading are central for preparing materials and engaging with academic content. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, help in structuring courses and evaluating student work. Competence with computers and information technology is also important, as is the ability to adapt to changing instructional needs. Interpersonal skills, customer service orientation, leadership, and creativity and innovation round out the profile, helping educators manage student interactions and contribute constructively to their departments and institutions.
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