Key takeaways
- Maryland’s proximity to Washington, DC, and FBI Headquarters creates several criminal justice jobs in Maryland.
- Criminal justice is a vast field, including jobs such as police officers, detectives, fish and game wardens, border patrol agents, and more.
- Several educational paths can lead to careers in the field, including a degree in criminal justice, criminology, penology, forensic science, and so on.
- In-demand criminal jobs in MD include Police Officers, Detectives, Crime Analysts, Compliance Specialists, and more.
- As per the Baltimore local police department, between 28th March to 4th April, 454 crimes took place in the state.
- Aggravated assault, larceny, auto theft, larceny related to auto theft, and robbery are the most prevalent crimes.
Criminal justice has the potential to be a highly rewarding field, especially for those passionate about pursuing job roles that can contribute to enhancing public safety and ensure justice administration. These range from roles in wildlife protection to legal systems administration, law enforcement agencies, and more. The field is diverse and ripe with amazing career opportunities allowing for personal and professional growth, especially criminal justice jobs in Maryland.
Maryland is the neighboring state to Washington, DC, and is home to the headquarters of many law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is a state with abundant job opportunities, and in this article, you will find a list of in-demand criminal justice jobs in Maryland, along with job descriptions and salary information.
What are criminal justice jobs?
Criminal justice is a broad field encompassing a variety of systems including laws, principles, and institutions responsible for ensuring implementation of legal systems, maintenance of laws, protecting citizens, and administering justice to those convicted of crimes. The field encompasses a variety of roles involved in ensuring the administration of justice to those accused and convicted of criminal activity.
Contrary to popular belief, these are not just limited to FBI Agents and Police Officers; Coast Guard, Immigration officers, Fish & Game Wardens, border patrol, and many others are all criminal justice roles. The administration of justice is a multifaceted field that encompasses a range of organizations and processes, from the start of reporting a crime and launching an investigation to the trial and administration of justice through correctional facilities and processes.
Criminal justice jobs
Those interested in pursuing a career in the field must choose a niche of interest. Here is a comprehensive list of jobs in the field that aspiring criminal justice professionals can pursue.
- Probation Officer
- Police Officer
- Correctional Officer
- Private Investigator
- FBI Agent
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Criminal Investigator
- Detective
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Paralegal
- Forensic Accountants
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Intelligence Analyst
- DEA Agent
- Court Reporter
- Victim Advocate
- Criminal Profiler
- Border Patrol Agent
- Security Officer
Here, it is important to note that the educational requirements for each role vary, and some require additional training. While a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is generally the ideal qualification for several criminal justice jobs in Maryland, there are multiple educational paths that can lead to a career in the field. You can also pursue a degree in criminology or a degree in penology.
Moreover, for some roles such as that of Forensic Accountant or a Forensic Science Technician, a degree in forensic sciences might enhance your eligibility.
Why pursue a criminal justice career in Maryland?
Whether you are a seasoned professional or a fresh graduate looking for job opportunities in criminal justice, Maryland is one of the ideal locations offering abundant job opportunities in the field. The state boasts a steady job market and a rising demand for qualified criminal justice professionals. The state also boasts an excellent infrastructure when it comes to handling and preventing crime.
The Maryland Governor’s Office houses the Maryland Statistical Analysis Center. The Center is part of a larger network of Statistical Centers located countrywide to help map out criminal activity, target problem areas, determine prevalent crime, and take a deeper look into criminal activity concentration areas. Whether you are looking to enter the field or transition to a new job and state offering career advancement opportunities, Maryland is the ideal place for you.
Given Maryland’s proximity to Washington DC and the presence of many security agencies’ headquarters in the state, aspiring professionals should definitely seek career opportunities in MD. Especially those aspiring to become police officers, FBI Agents, or Drug Enforcement Agents, or Intelligence Analysts. Moreover, those interested in protecting natural resources can pursue job opportunities offered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
List of criminal justice jobs in Maryland
The list of available criminal justice jobs in MD is quite extensive. The state boasts a vast criminal justice infrastructure and its proximity to Virginia and Washington DC, it is an excellent starting point for criminal justice careers. Moreover, colleges and universities in Maryland offer some of the best criminal justice programs in the United States of America.
In fact, the University of Maryland’s Criminal Justice Program is a leading research program in the country. Pursuing an education in criminal justice can make it easier to pursue criminal justice careers in Maryland. You can benefit from on-campus networking opportunities, job placement programs, and more. Here are some in-demand jobs you can explore in the state.
Police officers
Average annual salary: $68,289
Within the field of law enforcement, there are several job roles you can pursue, including that of a police officer. The primary responsibility of police officers is the protection and safeguarding of the state’s citizens’ property, interests, and more. Law enforcement officers are in high-demand due to prevalent crime in Maryland’s metropolitan cities such as Baltimore.
As per a report by the Baltimore Police Department, 454 crimes took place in the city in the last 7 days alone. Aggravated assault and larceny are the two most prevalent crimes in the city, with auto theft, larceny from auto theft, and robbery following closely. In a city with violent crime so frequent and prevalent, the demand for police officers is high.
Responsibilities of police officers and detectives
- Protecting life and property
- Maintaining order in their jurisdiction
- Implementation of laws and rules
- Preventing and detecting crime
- Conducting investigations
- Responding to crime
- Arresting and processing criminals
- Maintaining accurate records
- Operating law enforcement vehicles
- Testifying in court
Detectives
Average annual salary: $85,794
The job of a detective is a tough one, as there are no set working hours. They are one of the first ones to respond to emergencies and crime scenes, which means they can be called at any time of day or night. In contrast, police officers work in shifts, and only those on shift at the time of the crime are called upon.
Detectives are responsible for solving the crime through research, analyzing the crime scene, and carrying out a detailed investigation. This includes conducting interviews, taking witness testimonies, shortlisting suspects, and ensuring the criminal is not only caught but also convicted by gathering irrefutable proof against them.
Since violent crime is prevalent in the state, detectives too are in high demand as they are responsible for solving crimes such as aggravated assault, auto theft, larceny, and robbery. Here are the key responsibilities of a detective.
Responsibilities of a detective
- Analyzing the crime scene
- Interrogating the suspects
- Questioning witnesses
- Performing surveillance
- Collaborating with other departments
- Organizing evidence to present in court
- Communicating with victims
- Ensuring operational readiness through regular training, crime scene reenactments, and so on.
Crime Analysts
Average annual salary: $79,428
If you are someone who is passionate about preventing crimes and loves finding patterns, this is the field for you. Crime analysts analyze crime data to identify trends, patterns, problem areas, and more. Through a series of data mapping and data analysis techniques, crime analysts study crime to identify trends and patterns to not only help solve crimes but also prevent them by ensuring law enforcement professionals know what to expect.
Maryland’s Statistical Analysis Center is one of the major employers of Crime Analysts. Local police departments also have a statistical center such as that of the Baltimore local police department. If you are an aspiring crime analyst, you can easily find jobs in the field in Maryland.
Responsibilities of crime analysts
- Analyze crime data
- Develop crime prevention strategies
- Assist in investigations
- Evaluate program effectiveness
- Improve safety and quality of life
- Optimize internal affairs of the department such as resource allocation.
Compliance Specialists
Average annual salary: $78,303
Compliance Specialists are responsible for ensuring that law enforcement agencies are following laws, rules, and legal requirements. Their goal is to prevent corruption within law enforcement agencies and misuse of power and authority, as well as ensure fair and ethical practices. Moreover, compliance specialists are also responsible for the development and implementation of compliance policies and procedures not just for law enforcement agencies but for all other industries as well.
Without accountability, law enforcement agencies are susceptible to corruption and misconduct within the organization. If you are passionate about ensuring the prevalence of justice and regulatory compliance across all organizations, this is the field for you. You will find several high-paying criminal justice jobs in MD, including Compliance Specialists.
Key responsibilities of compliance specialists
- Regulatory research and interpretation
- Policy development and implementation
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Compliance audits and investigations
- Employee training and education
- Reporting and communication
- Liaising with external parties such as regulatory agencies, auditors, and other external parties
- Identify areas for improvement
Secure criminal justice jobs in Maryland with the right education!
Criminal justice jobs in MD are available in abundance, owing to the robust criminal justice infrastructure in the state. If you want to join the field, Maryland is an excellent starting point. The state has a lower cost of living compared to its neighboring areas, such as Virginia and Washington, DC, which are home to headquarters of major law enforcement agencies.
You can either enroll in a criminal justice program in Maryland to access criminal justice careers in MD or seek formal employment in the state after graduation. Whichever path you take, Maryland has plenty of rewarding career opportunities from which you can benefit.