Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers Salary by State
Also called: Criminal Justice Teachers, Postsecondary
The national median pay for criminal justice and law enforcement teachers is $76,590 a year. By state, it ranges from $50,270 in Kansas to $139,720 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $45,000
- 25th percentile
- $60,020
- Median
- $76,590
- 75th percentile
- $100,870
- Top 10%
- $140,240
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 13,150 jobs.
Median pay in 41 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $139,720 | +82% | $68,960 | $259,890 | 1,460 |
| 2 | Colorado | $122,050 | +59% | $45,050 | $148,710 | 370 |
| 3 | Maryland | $99,600 | +30% | $31,780 | $132,910 | 220 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $94,710 | +24% | $56,770 | $123,000 | 790 |
| 5 | Oregon | $93,960 | +23% | $31,290 | $206,880 | 70 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $84,270 | +10% | $49,020 | $131,220 | 70 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $83,060 | +8% | $64,820 | $128,730 | 100 |
| 8 | New York | $82,770 | +8% | $50,400 | $208,930 | 880 |
| 9 | Louisiana | $82,100 | +7% | $51,150 | $123,310 | 70 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $81,890 | +7% | $48,860 | $99,910 | 300 |
| 11 | Delaware | $80,510 | +5% | $41,370 | $114,270 | 40 |
| 12 | Iowa | $79,690 | +4% | $59,410 | $91,980 | 80 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $79,500 | +4% | $49,820 | $137,780 | 380 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $79,190 | +3% | $49,040 | $111,000 | 40 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $78,520 | +3% | $51,360 | $136,500 | 110 |
| 16 | Texas | $77,270 | +1% | $39,580 | $126,670 | 1,150 |
| 17 | South Carolina | $76,960 | 0% | $57,030 | $131,020 | 150 |
| 18 | Michigan | $76,770 | 0% | $39,510 | $125,210 | 360 |
| 19 | West Virginia | $76,730 | 0% | $46,520 | $131,700 | 90 |
| 20 | Utah | $76,650 | 0% | $52,950 | $106,220 | 80 |
| 21 | Ohio | $76,610 | 0% | $35,920 | $116,170 | 420 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $73,090 | −5% | $64,170 | $129,280 | 200 |
| 23 | Washington | $72,700 | −5% | $48,360 | $106,200 | 120 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $71,610 | −7% | $32,220 | $122,490 | 530 |
| 25 | Georgia | $71,510 | −7% | $49,160 | $93,590 | 320 |
| 26 | Arizona | $71,230 | −7% | $65,370 | $136,620 | 310 |
| 27 | Missouri | $70,500 | −8% | $34,850 | $108,580 | 360 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $69,530 | −9% | $48,290 | $103,030 | 40 |
| 29 | Indiana | $68,340 | −11% | $50,290 | $102,880 | 170 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $67,720 | −12% | $61,500 | $107,220 | 40 |
| 31 | Nevada | $67,440 | −12% | $49,310 | $106,030 | 60 |
| 32 | Illinois | $66,040 | −14% | $42,860 | $104,220 | 480 |
| 33 | Alabama | $65,280 | −15% | $46,630 | $118,560 | 130 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $63,020 | −18% | $43,600 | $77,780 | 1,220 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $62,990 | −18% | $31,630 | $69,730 | 90 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $62,380 | −19% | $48,600 | $64,320 | 60 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $62,090 | −19% | $46,760 | $103,180 | 190 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $61,650 | −20% | $46,450 | $121,790 | 70 |
| 39 | Florida | $61,550 | −20% | $50,490 | $80,520 | 840 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $60,280 | −21% | $30,030 | $107,230 | 100 |
| 41 | Kansas | $50,270 | −34% | $34,850 | $86,280 | 70 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers salary questions
Which state pays criminal justice and law enforcement teachers the most?
California, with a median of $139,720 a year (+82% vs. the national median of $76,590). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays criminal justice and law enforcement teachers the least?
Kansas, with a median of $50,270 a year (−34% vs. national).
Where do most criminal justice and law enforcement teachers work?
California has the most jobs, about 1,460, with a median of $139,720.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.