Career comparison
Criminal Justice Professor vs. Probation Officer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Criminal justice professors earn more at the median ($76,590 vs. $66,270), while probation officers usually get to work faster (4 years plus agency training of training). Criminal justice professors teach how the justice system works and research crime and policing. Probation officers supervise people on probation or parole and help them rebuild their lives.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Criminal Justice Professor | Probation Officer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,590 | $66,270 ($31.86/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,000 – $140,240 | $46,840 – $107,790 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.5% (slower than average) | +3.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 7,900 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s | 4 years plus agency training |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in criminology | State probation officer certification |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, offices and with justice agencies.. | Officers work in offices, courts and the community, visiting homes and workplaces, sometimes in unsafe neighborhoods.. |
What each job does
Criminal Justice Professor
- Teach criminal justice courses
- Prepare students for justice careers
- Conduct research on crime and policy
- Partner with agencies
- Advise students
Probation Officer
- Supervise people on probation or parole
- Conduct risk and needs assessments
- Develop case plans
- Make home and work visits
- Conduct drug tests
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people and helping others. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and public safety & security, but share transferable skills such as communication and communication.
Which should you choose?
Choose criminal justice professor if…
- I care about justice
- I like teaching
- I enjoy research
Choose probation officer if…
- I believe people can change
- I can set firm boundaries
- I write clearly
Still torn? Take the Criminal Justice Professor fit quiz and the Probation Officer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, criminal justice professor or probation officer?
Criminal Justice Professors earn more at the median: $76,590 versus $66,270 for probation officers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Probation Officers typically train faster (4 years plus agency training) than criminal justice professors (5–7 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects probation officers to grow +3.0% from 2025–35, compared with +1.5% for criminal justice professors.