The Average Salary of a Criminal Profiler
The average salary of a criminal profiler (or forensic psychologist) ranges from $34,000 a year to as high as $106,000, according to PayScale Inc., a global compensation data company. Experience and education drive salaries in this profession, which involves far more than tracking serial killers, as is often portrayed on TV.
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What is a Criminal Profiler?
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A criminal profiler creates a psychological profile of a criminal by examining the crime and how it was committed in the hope of identifying and tracking down the criminal, according to the American Board of Forensic Psychology. However, criminal profiling is only one aspect of forensic psychology. Forensic psychologists also offer expert psychological opinions in court cases, evaluate defendants for their fitness to stand trial and may have clinical and counseling duties.
Average Salary of a Criminal Profiler
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The average salary of a criminal profiler depends largely on experience. According to PayScale, a forensic psychologist with less than a year's experience can expect a salary from $34,000 to $60,984. With five to nine years of experience, the range goes up to $46,176 to $82,895. With 10 or more years in the field, forensic psychologists see salaries in the range of $59,780 to $106,125. The average salary of a criminal profiler will also depend on location.
How to Become a Criminal Profiler
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Education will play a part in determining the salary of a criminal profiler. To become a criminal profiler, a person must graduate with a doctoral degree or at least a master's degree in some field of psychology, preferably forensic psychology, clinical psychology or counseling. This can take five to seven years of study. Specialists in forensic psychology perform fellowship training in this field. A degree or minor in criminal justice would be beneficial in a career as a criminal profiler.
Licensing and Certification
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Psychologists in any field, including forensic psychology, must first meet licensing and certification requirements in the state in which they want to practice. Laws vary by state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some states require psychologists to limit their practice to fields in which they have experience. Some states require a doctorate, an approved internship and one to two years of experience before a psychologist can be licensed. Applicants must also pass a state certification exam.
The American Board of Professional Psychology also offers a certification specific to the field of forensic psychology.
Career Options
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Criminal profilers and forensic psychologists can work in a number of areas, and this affects salary. Jobs exist in law enforcement at the state and local level (and even nationally with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for those at the top of the field), according to the allcriminaljusticeschools website. But criminal profilers can also work in universities, research facilities and coroners' offices. They might also choose to work as independent consultants.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Geoffrey Chandler
