Criminologist

Studies crime—why it happens and which policies actually reduce it.

A day in the life

Analyzes ten years of police data to test whether a violence-prevention program lowered shootings, then presents findings to the mayor.

Pay over a career

Starting

$55k

Typical

$90k

High

$145k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. Master's or PhD in criminology or sociology.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Criminology, Sociology, Statistics.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). Estimate.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. AI analyzes crime and police data quickly; designing fair studies and advising on policy stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Statistics, AP Government, AP Psychology.

• Join Mock Trial
• Join Law Enforcement Explorers
• Analyze local crime data for a stats project

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-3041.

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Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.