Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers Make?
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers earn a median annual salary of $71,470 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $45,640 at the 10th percentile to $143,130 at the 90th percentile — a range of $97,490. The highest-paying state is California at $136,240.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,640 |
| 25th percentile | $56,100 |
| Median (50th) | $71,470 |
| 75th percentile | $99,730 |
| 90th percentile | $143,130 |
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $136,240 |
| Colorado | $101,880 |
| Wisconsin | $97,290 |
| Maryland | $95,410 |
| Oregon | $82,400 |
| New York | $80,960 |
| Minnesota | $80,700 |
| Utah | $79,700 |
| New Hampshire | $79,620 |
| Louisiana | $79,470 |
| Massachusetts | $78,900 |
| Rhode Island | $78,520 |
| Mississippi | $78,280 |
| Wyoming | $77,910 |
| Delaware | $77,530 |
| Missouri | $77,410 |
| Nevada | $76,760 |
| Texas | $76,580 |
| New Jersey | $76,290 |
| Virginia | $74,940 |
| Idaho | $72,150 |
| Connecticut | $71,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,960 |
| Arizona | $68,350 |
| Ohio | $67,490 |
| Washington | $66,680 |
| South Carolina | $66,090 |
| Illinois | $65,390 |
| West Virginia | $65,350 |
| Vermont | $65,280 |
| Nebraska | $64,710 |
| District of Columbia | $64,360 |
| Alabama | $64,020 |
| New Mexico | $63,850 |
| South Dakota | $63,290 |
| Oklahoma | $62,730 |
| Michigan | $62,210 |
| Maine | $61,720 |
| Georgia | $61,540 |
| Tennessee | $60,780 |
| North Carolina | $60,080 |
| Florida | $59,660 |
| Indiana | $58,620 |
| Kentucky | $58,320 |
| Arkansas | $57,610 |
| Iowa | $52,500 |
| Kansas | $48,410 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$45,640 – $56,100 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$71,470 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$99,730 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $143,130+ |
How to Earn More as a Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA earn $214,870 — $143,400 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($99,730) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacherthis career | $71,470 |
| Education Administrator | $103,960 |
| Business Teacher | $97,270 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher | $84,290 |
| Economics Teacher | $119,980 |
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SOC: 25-1111.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.