Oregon, which is known as the Beaver State, had a 2009 population of 3,825,657, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The capital is Salem, and Portland is the largest city in the state. The bulk of the population is in the western part of the state, near the Pacific Ocean. Criminal justice schools in Oregon provide general programs in law enforcement as well as studies in forensics, crime scene investigation, criminology, parole and probation, and police management. Oregon is ranked 20th in the U.S. in crime rates, with property crimes like burglary and larceny much more prevalent than the violent crimes of murder, rape, and assault. But no matter what the crime, those in law enforcement jobs in Oregon must be prepared to deal with it.
Law Enforcement and Police Jobs in Oregon
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts growth of about 10 percent for law enforcement jobs from 2008 to 2018. The bulk of jobs for graduates of Oregon criminal justice colleges are with local government agencies, with state and federal law enforcement agencies hiring about 20 percent between them. A high school diploma or associate's degree is typically the minimum requirement for entry-level police jobs in Oregon, particularly in rural departments. However, candidates with degrees from criminal justice colleges in Oregon can start at higher pay and advance more rapidly. The BLS report for 2009 put the mean annual income for law enforcement jobs in Oregon slightly higher than the national average, except for bailiffs. Below is a list of Oregon mean annual incomes for representative law enforcement positions, with the national mean annual income listed second:
Oregon, which is known as the Beaver State, had a 2009 population of 3,825,657, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The capital is Salem, and Portland is the largest city in the state. The bulk of the population is in the western part of the state, near the Pacific Ocean. Criminal justice schools in Oregon provide general programs in law enforcement as well as studies in forensics, crime scene investigation, criminology, parole and probation, and police management. Oregon is ranked 20th in the U.S. in crime rates, with property crimes like burglary and larceny much more prevalent than the violent crimes of murder, rape, and assault. But no matter what the crime, those in law enforcement jobs in Oregon must be prepared to deal with it.
Law Enforcement and Police Jobs in Oregon
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts growth of about 10 percent for law enforcement jobs from 2008 to 2018. The bulk of jobs for graduates of Oregon criminal justice colleges are with local government agencies, with state and federal law enforcement agencies hiring about 20 percent between them. A high school diploma or associate's degree is typically the minimum requirement for entry-level police jobs in Oregon, particularly in rural departments. However, candidates with degrees from criminal justice colleges in Oregon can start at higher pay and advance more rapidly. The BLS report for 2009 put the mean annual income for law enforcement jobs in Oregon slightly higher than the national average, except for bailiffs. Below is a list of Oregon mean annual incomes for representative law enforcement positions, with the national mean annual income listed second:
- Correctional Officers and Jailers: $47,610/$42,610
- Bailiffs: $37,940/$40,240
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: $56,990/$55,180
- Detectives Criminal Investigators: $68,400/$65,860
- First Line Managers/Supervisors of Police and Detectives: $78,790/$78,580
Graduates from Oregon criminal justice schools may qualify for higher earnings due to their educational achievements.
