{"id":96197,"date":"2023-08-19T09:50:27","date_gmt":"2023-08-19T16:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=96197"},"modified":"2025-09-26T13:19:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T20:19:46","slug":"career-change-for-police-officers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/","title":{"rendered":"Alternative Careers for Police Officers: Jobs After Law Enforcement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Although there are many police officers who spend their entire careers in the law enforcement field, there are many others who move on to other careers for reasons like job satisfaction and higher salaries. No matter the reason, a career change for police officers and law enforcement professionals presents new possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The obvious direction for most professionals leaving law enforcement careers involves security and investigations. Law enforcement officers have a wide variety of skills that can be profitable in many different fields beyond security. If you\u2019re looking to make a career change, consider our highlights of alternative careers for police officers, how much you\u2019ll earn, and how to get a job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!-- load the widget code --><div class=\"esy_widget_container esy_type_search\" style=\"min-height:175px\"><\/div><script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function(event) {ESY.Widget({category_id: '',domain_id: 'careerkarma.com',widget_id: '945946',custom_options: '',tags: '',intro: '',type: 'search'});});<\/script><!-- END load the widget code -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Police officers possess a diverse skill set that can be valuable when exploring second careers or alternative careers for police officers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many police officers transition to different careers for reasons like better job satisfaction, higher salaries, and reduced stress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alternative career options for police officers include victim advocates, forensic accountants, fire inspectors, elected officials, and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Considerable overlap exists between police officer skills and requirements in fields like cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, and bodyguarding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evaluating career goals, filling skill gaps, networking, gaining work experience, and seeking career advancement opportunities are essential steps in making a successful career change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69ebcdb5c3e24\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69ebcdb5c3e24\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#career-change-for-police-officers-overview\" >Career Change for Police Officers: Overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#the-best-alternative-careers-for-police-officers-in-2025\" >The Best Alternative Careers for Police Officers in 2025<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#how-to-make-a-career-change-from-being-a-police-officer\" >How to Make a Career Change from Being a Police Officer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#is-it-time-to-make-a-police-officer-career-change\" >Is It Time to Make a Police Officer Career Change?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#police-officers-career-change-faq\" >Police Officers Career Change FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-career-change-for-police-officers-overview\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"career-change-for-police-officers-overview\"><\/span>Career Change for Police Officers: Overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Police officers serve the public by protecting people and property and enforcing the law. Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates from 2023 \u2014 which are the most recent as of 2025 \u2014 say there are 796,800 sworn police and detectives in the US.<sup>1<\/sup> The largest employers remain government agencies at local, state, and federal levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cops earn a mean annual wage of approximately<strong> $77,270<\/strong> as of reporting from 2024,<sup>2<\/sup> which remains notably higher than the overall national average across all occupations. However, if earnings are a big motivating factor, you should know that some alternative careers pay more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though being a police officer often comes with decent pay and solid benefits, there are many negative aspects of the job that make a career change for law enforcement more appealing. The very nature of the job is stressful, can be physically demanding, and is often dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-can-you-do-with-a-degree-in-criminal-justice-besides-being-a-police-officer\">What Can You Do with a Degree in Criminal Justice Besides Being a Police Officer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A college degree in criminal justice covers a variety of different subjects including corrections in contemporary society, forensic psychology, and risk management. All these courses are designed to prepare you for different careers in law enforcement. Besides being a police officer, you can become a private investigator, criminal profiler, or crime prevention specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-common-alternative-careers-and-second-careers-for-police-officers\">Common Alternative Careers and Second Careers for Police Officers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many law enforcement officers leave the task force and pursue other careers. Police work is an incredibly stressful job and it can take a toll on both the mind and the body. Fortunately, police officers have a lot of skills that employers in different industries are looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternative career opportunities for police officers include jobs as victim advocates, forensic accountants, fitness trainers, fire inspectors, elected officials, and private investigators. In addition, those with experience working as an officer are well equipped to work in private security. Security guards may work in banks, malls, nightclubs, and private industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-best-alternative-careers-for-police-officers-in-2025\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the-best-alternative-careers-for-police-officers-in-2025\"><\/span>The Best Alternative Careers for Police Officers in 2025<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/alternative-careers-for-police-officers.jpeg\" alt=\"a group of police officers in riot gear\" class=\"wp-image-96199\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Police officers have many transferable skills that can be used to successfully pursue work in other careers outside a law enforcement agency.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the high\u2011stakes scenarios and stress that law enforcement professionals deal with every day, it is no wonder that some leave active duty to start careers in tech or other criminal justice areas. If you are looking to apply your current skill set to a new position, consider some of the high\u2011paying jobs for former police officers we\u2019ve listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-high-paying-jobs-for-former-police-officers\">High-Paying Jobs for Former Police Officers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table course-info-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Job<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Average Salary (as of 2025)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Transferable Officer Skills<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bodyguard<\/td><td>$102,500<sup>3<\/sup><\/td><td>Physical stamina, reliability, attention to detail, observation skills, and the ability to remain focused despite the environment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cybersecurity Analyst<\/td><td>$82,935<sup>4<\/sup><\/td><td>Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, analytical and computer programming skills<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Intelligence Analyst<\/td><td>$82,750<sup>5<\/sup><\/td><td>Analytical, communication, project management, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Postsecondary Teachers (in criminal justice and law enforcement)<\/td><td>$73,325<sup>6<\/sup><\/td><td>People management, knowledge of security policies and procedures, communication, organization skills, and planning skills<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fraud Investigator<\/td><td>$71,928<sup>7<\/sup><\/td><td>Forensic interviewing, data analysis, regulatory compliance, and communication skills, as well as attention to detail<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fire Inspector<\/td><td>$64,802<sup>8<\/sup><\/td><td>Physical fitness, leadership skills, communication skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Private Investigator \/ Detective<\/td><td>$62,742<sup>9<\/sup><\/td><td>Communication skills, attention to detail, patience, inquisitiveness, resourcefulness, problem-solving skills, physical fitness, and decision-making skills<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Background Investigator<\/td><td>$57,932<sup>10<\/sup><\/td><td>Written and oral communication skills, computer proficiency, analytical thinking, and attention to detail<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Crime Scene Investigator<\/td><td>$56,193<sup>11<\/sup><\/td><td>Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, the ability to remain focused, and critical thinking skills<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Victim Advocate<\/td><td>$45,396<sup>12<\/sup><\/td><td>Crisis intervention, communication skills, counseling skills, and case management skills<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cybersecurity-analyst-information-security-specialist\">Cybersecurity Analyst (Information Security Specialist)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You should consider a career as a cyber security analyst if you have a knack for computer programming. Cyber security analysts use their skills to protect organizations from the ever-growing threat posed by cybercriminals. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly rampant, especially in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For this reason, cyber security analysts are constantly looking for ways to prevent cybercriminals from accessing networks and sensitive information. Federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation especially would be in search of these professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most cyber security analysts have a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Computer Science, Information Assurance, and Cyber Security.&nbsp; However, you can pick up cyber security skills by attending <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/rankings\/best-cyber-security-bootcamps\/\">online cyber security bootcamps<\/a>. Tech bootcamps, though harder to come by in 2025, are famous for getting people up to speed on computer programming and cyber security in about six to 18 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-intelligence-analyst\">Intelligence Analyst<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are looking to change careers but want to remain in the same field, you should consider a job as an intelligence analyst. These professionals provide high-level analytical support to other police officers to assist in preventing or solving crimes. As an intelligence analyst, your main job is to analyze data from multiple sources to assist in criminal investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bodyguard\">Bodyguard<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Police officers need a high level of physical fitness to perform many of their job duties. For this reason, you should consider a career as a bodyguard. A bodyguard\u2019s main job is to protect VIPs from dangerous situations. They can work in clubs, embassies, and government agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many private bodyguard jobs pay more than law enforcement jobs, but that depends on the hiring agency that is hiring. Police officers are well trained in hand and firearm combat, making them ideal candidates for close protection and bodyguard duties without much additional training. A lot of the soft skills you\u2019ll learn as a police officer will pay off as a bodyguard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fire-inspector-and-fire-investigator\">Fire Inspector and Fire Investigator<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Fire inspectors analyze buildings and other establishments to detect, prevent, or contain fire hazards. They also ensure buildings have met the necessary local, state, or federal fire codes. As a result, this job is ideal for those looking for a different challenge or experience while still working for the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the main reasons to consider this profession, especially as a former police officer, is because this career field is expected to generate a lot of jobs in the years to come. However, you should know that fire inspectors and investigators have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses out of all the occupations in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fraud-investigator\">Fraud Investigator<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Fraud investigators investigate suspected and confirmed fraudulent activity. They use their skills to research and analyze data from fraudulent cases and activities. This includes financial records, legal documents, and identity inconsistencies. You should consider this profession if you have extensive experience as a detective in criminal justice or law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-private-investigator-detective\">Private Investigator \/ Detective<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Private investigators research to find more information regarding legal, financial, and personal matters. They are hired by clients looking for private investigation services. Such services may include finding missing persons, verifying people\u2019s backgrounds, investigating employees for theft or sexual harassment, and proving infidelity in a divorce case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The BLS estimates that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/protective-service\/private-detectives-and-investigators.htm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">demand for private investigators and detectives will increase by 5%<\/a> over the next decade,<sup>13<\/sup> creating thousands of jobs in the process. Most professionals in this field learn through on-the-job training, much of which former police officers already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-postsecondary-teachers-in-criminal-justice-and-law-enforcement\">Postsecondary Teachers (in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are looking for a career far from the risks and dangers of law enforcement, you should consider a career as an instructor, lecturer, or teacher. These professionals prepare and deliver lectures to students on topics involving criminal law, investigation techniques, and defensive policing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your knowledge in law and government as well as your life experience is crucial to pursuing a successful career in this field. Working at a university as an adjunct professor will allow you to enjoy a good work-life balance while training others for a career in law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-background-investigator\">Background Investigator<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A background investigator performs background checks by interviewing a wide variety of people including employees, law enforcement officials, and military officials. They also obtain records from different government bodies to determine if a person is a victim, witness, or perpetrator of any crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should consider this career if you understand confidentiality and privacy laws. In addition, this career is ideal for former police officers as most employers prefer people with experience in law enforcement or firefighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-crime-scene-investigator\">Crime Scene Investigator<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Crime scene investigators discover, examine, record, and preserve all the evidence details in a crime scene. As a crime scene investigator, you\u2019ll work in a police department. Crime scene investigators also collaborate with other law enforcement agents to secure and preserve the crime scene to ensure it is not tampered with or contaminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-victim-advocate\">Victim Advocate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Victim advocates assist victims of crime by providing a wide range of services including crisis intervention, assistance with compensation claims, case status updates, and community referrals. They may also host community awareness programs. This profession is best suited for professionals who have some social work experience and strong interpersonal skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the reasons why you should consider this profession is because of the satisfaction you\u2019ll get from directly helping victims of crimes. Although it doesn\u2019t pay high salaries, this career is a step away from the dangers and risks involved with police work. This job requires professionals to have extensive knowledge in criminal and juvenile justice systems, which police officers have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-make-a-career-change-from-being-a-police-officer\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-to-make-a-career-change-from-being-a-police-officer\"><\/span>How to Make a Career Change from Being a Police Officer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As much as career changes are common these days, they are also challenging. Life after law enforcement comes with various difficulties. For this reason, you should take time to carefully plan before you make any moves. Before you leap, consider the steps listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-evaluate-your-career-goals\">1. Evaluate Your Career Goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may choose to shift careers because you are dissatisfied or unhappy. However, it would be best to find out what is causing such feelings in your current workplace. Whatever the reason, you should spend some time on self-reflection to gain clarity before making the leap. This will help you determine what direction you want your career to go in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-fill-your-skill-gaps-nbsp\">2. Fill Your Skill Gaps&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Different roles have different job responsibilities as well as education and skill requirements. Learn about the skills that are required to work in your preferred role and work towards bridging any gaps. You can do this by completing related training and educational programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-network-and-meet-people-in-your-new-field\">3. Network and Meet People in Your New Field<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Building a strong network plays a vital role when searching for jobs, especially in a new field. You should use social media platforms such as LinkedIn to create a professional profile detailing your new role. Attending events, seminars, conferences, and shows is also a great way to make valuable connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-get-work-experience-however-you-can\">4. Get Work Experience However You Can<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Work experience is vital, especially during the early stages of your career. Remember that many employers prefer working with experienced professionals. For this reason, you should try volunteering and internship programs if those opportunities are available to you. This will help you build out your resume towards your new career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-look-for-career-advancement-opportunities\">5. Look for Career Advancement Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Career advancement is important as it generates a sense of purpose and upward movement. Such opportunities typically come with higher salaries, better working conditions, and higher job satisfaction rates. Continue learning and developing your skills to take advantage of such opportunities in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-it-time-to-make-a-police-officer-career-change\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is-it-time-to-make-a-police-officer-career-change\"><\/span>Is It Time to Make a Police Officer Career Change?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You should make a career change if you no longer find your job rewarding or satisfying. Police work involves high-risk situations such as conflicts with criminals, and people can easily get burned out by these types of pulse-raising interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve decided it\u2019s time for a different challenge, you\u2019ll be pleased to know that police officers have many <a href=\"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/transferable-skills-resume\/\">transferable skills<\/a> that can make a resume stand out when applying to different careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-police-officers-career-change-faq\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"police-officers-career-change-faq\"><\/span>Police Officers Career Change FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1640756911519\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What are the best careers for former police officers or retired law enforcement professionals?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">As a former police officer, you can use your transferable skills to pursue different careers as a private investigator, victim advocate, fire inspector, bodyguard, or crime scene investigator.<br\/><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1640756924893\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can you be a police officer and have another job?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, you can be a police officer and have another side job. Side jobs are a great way for individuals to earn extra income while developing professional knowledge and skills. Some common side jobs for police officers include security guard, private investigator, and personal trainer.<br\/><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1640756933432\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is joining the police force worth it?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, a career as a police officer is worth it for many people for multiple reasons. For one, police officers earn more than the average national salary. Secondly, the job demand for police officers is expected to grow by 4% over the next decade, meaning you\u2019ll have many employment opportunities in the future.<sup>14<\/sup><br\/><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1640756947599\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What do police officers do when they are older?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Police officers pursue a wide range of careers in law enforcement as they gain more experience. Such roles include private investigator, victim advocate, and postsecondary teacher. Police officers need to stay in good physical shape, which becomes challenging as professionals age. That\u2019s why a lot of officers transition to different careers.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sources<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>1<\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/protective-service\/police-and-detectives.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/protective-service\/police-and-detectives.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>2<\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/protective-service\/police-and-detectives.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/protective-service\/police-and-detectives.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>3<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Bodyguard\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>4<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Cyber_Security_Analyst\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>5<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Intelligence_Analyst\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>6<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Criminal_Justice_and_Law_Enforcement_Teacher%2C_Postsecondary\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>7<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Fraud_Investigator\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>8<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Fire_Inspector_%2F_Investigator\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>9<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Private_Detective_or_Investigator\/Hourly_Rate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>10<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Background_Investigator\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>11<\/sup>https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Crime_Scene_Investigator_(CSI)\/Salary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>12<\/sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Victim_Advocate\/Salary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Job=Victim_Advocate\/Salary<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>13<\/sup>https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/protective-service\/private-detectives-and-investigators.htm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><sup>14<\/sup>https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/protective-service\/police-and-detectives.htm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Although there are many police officers who spend their entire careers in the law enforcement field, there are many others who move on to other careers for reasons like job satisfaction and higher salaries. No matter the reason, a career change for police officers and law enforcement professionals presents new possibilities. The obvious direction for&hellip;","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":96198,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17499],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-96197","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-career-advice"},"acf":{"post_sub_title":"Leaving Law Enforcement for a New Career? Learn About the Lucrative Jobs Available to You and How to Land One","sprint_id":"December 6, 21","query_class":"career-change-for-*occupation","school_sft":"","parent_sft":"","school_privacy_policy":"","has_review":"","is_sponser_post":"","is_guest_post":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Jobs For Former Police Officers: How to Make a Career Change<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover high-paying jobs for former police leaving law enforcement for a new career in this guide. 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Side jobs are a great way for individuals to earn extra income while developing professional knowledge and skills. Some common side jobs for police officers include security guard, private investigator, and personal trainer.<br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#faq-question-1640756933432","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#faq-question-1640756933432","name":"Is joining the police force worth it?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, a career as a police officer is worth it for many people for multiple reasons. For one, police officers earn more than the average national salary. Secondly, the job demand for police officers is expected to grow by 4% over the next decade, meaning you\u2019ll have many employment opportunities in the future.14<br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#faq-question-1640756947599","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/career-change-for-police-officers\/#faq-question-1640756947599","name":"What do police officers do when they are older?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Police officers pursue a wide range of careers in law enforcement as they gain more experience. Such roles include private investigator, victim advocate, and postsecondary teacher. Police officers need to stay in good physical shape, which becomes challenging as professionals age. That\u2019s why a lot of officers transition to different careers.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/129"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96197\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}