Highest Paying Jobs for Criminal Justice Degree Holders in the US

For those pursuing a criminal justice degree, the job market offers a diverse range of high-paying opportunities. From crime investigation to border security, this guide explores the top ten highest paying jobs for criminal justice graduates, offering insights into each role's responsibilities and average salaries.

Note that this is a general guide (based on earnings in US Dollars). 

Job #10: Probation Officer

Average Salary: Over $76,000

Probation officers play a vital role in rehabilitating law offenders, designing rehabilitation plans, and aiding their transition back into society.

Job #9: Homeland Security Professional

Average Salary: Over $77,000

Homeland security professionals protect the country from threats, specializing in various aspects of national security.

Job #8: Border Patrol Agent

Average Salary: Over $81,000

Border patrol agents safeguard national borders, ensuring the legality of crossings and preventing illegal activities.

Job #7: Deportation Officer

Average Salary: Over $86,000

Deportation officers handle the process of locating and deporting individuals living in a country illegally.

Job #6: Prison Warden

Average Salary: Over $87,000

Prison wardens manage and oversee prison operations, ensuring safety, security, and adherence to regulations.

Job #5: Drug Enforcement Administration Agent (DEA Agent)

Average Salary: Over $88,000

DEA agents combat drug trafficking and enforce drug-related laws, focusing on eradicating illegal drug activities.

Job #4: Computer Forensic Specialist

Average Salary: Over $92,000

Computer forensic specialists extract digital evidence, aiding in criminal investigations related to cybercrimes.

Job #3: Federal Air Marshal

Average Salary: Over $99,000

Federal air marshals work with the TSA to ensure the safety of public flying, protecting against potential threats.

Job #2: Criminal Investigator

Average Salary: Just under $100,000

Criminal investigators gather evidence, analyze data, and work towards solving various crimes, making significant contributions to the justice system.

Job #1: United States Secret Service Agent

Average Salary: Over $137,000

Secret Service agents provide protection to high-level officials, investigate fraud and counterfeiting, and play a crucial role in maintaining national security.

Conclusion

With a criminal justice degree, you can enter a wide array of high-paying professions that contribute to society's safety and security. 

Each role offers unique challenges and opportunities for personal and professional growth, making the field of criminal justice a compelling and rewarding career path.

PNG Teachers Pay Increase 2023: What You Need to Know

On March 17th, 2023, the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Parliament approved a three per cent pay increase for all public servants, including the country's 65,000 teachers. This decision has been long-awaited by teachers who have not received a pay rise since 2019. 

The PNG Teachers' Association (PNGTA) has submitted a request for a 12 per cent increase based on the consumer price index.

But, what does this mean for PNG teachers as they anticipate the increase in their pay this year?

Background of the Pay Increase

The decision to approve a three per cent pay increase for all public servants, including teachers, was announced by the Public Service Minister, Joe Sungi. Here is the National News Paper report on the teachers' pay increase 2023.

He emphasized that teachers are part of the civil service and are entitled to the same pay rise as other public servants.

Click on the link to see the implementation schedule for the PNG Public Service Pay Increase 2023 - 2024

The PNGTA had previously submitted a request for a 12 per cent increase based on the consumer price index. 

However, the delay in the submission was due to in-house matters, which have been resolved according to the PNGTA president, Aita Sanagkepe. That means that the teachers should see an increment in their pay.

Check out how much teachers are earning in other Pacific countries

 

PNG Teachers Pay Increase 2023

The 2023 pay increase is significant for PNG teachers who have not received a pay rise since 2019. 

It is a recognition of their hard work and dedication to educating the nation's youth. 

The increase in pay will help to improve the financial well-being of teachers, who often face challenges due to rising costs of living and inflation. 

Implementation Process

The implementation process of the pay increase involves several steps. First, the PNGTA and the Teaching Service Commission will finalise the details of the pay rise. 

Once the details are confirmed, the Finance and Treasury departments will release the funding to pay all teachers in the country. 

The Teaching Service Commission chairman, Samson Wangihomie, has already made the submissions for the pay increase.

Request for Fast Tracking

The PNGTA has requested the Deputy Prime Minister to fast-track the payment before the resumption of duties in the second quarter of 2023. 

This indicates the urgency and importance of the pay increase for teachers. 

The PNGTA is advocating for a higher pay increase based on the consumer price index to address the financial challenges faced by teachers.

Significant development

The approved pay increase for PNG teachers in 2023 is a significant development that recognizes their contribution to the country's education system. 

It is a step towards improving the financial well-being of teachers and boosting their morale. 

 As teachers eagerly await the pay increase, it is hoped that it will positively impact their lives and enhance the quality of education in PNG.

PNG Teachers' Pay Compared to Pacific Island Countries

 Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of any country. They are responsible for imparting knowledge and skills to students, which will help them become successful in their chosen careers. However, despite the importance of their role, many teachers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are paid a low salary compared to their counterparts in other countries. 

In this article, we will examine the salaries of PNG teachers and compare them with those of teachers in other countries. We will also explore what the PNG government can do to reward teachers properly.

How much an average high school teacher in PNG earns

According to the website payscale.com, the average high school teacher in PNG earns between K21,955 and K33,639 per year, depending on their experience and position. 

This is a significantly lower salary compared to teachers in other countries. For instance, in New Zealand, the average salary for a high school teacher is $52,000 (K113,570), while in the United Kingdom, it is £28,000 (K120,900). In Canada, high school teachers earn an average salary of $61,700 (K158,421) per year.

• Read about PNG Public Service Pay Increase 2022 - 2024

• See the last pay increments for teachers here. 

 Factors impacting salaries of teachers in PNG

The low salaries of teachers in PNG can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic situation and the government's budget allocation for education. 

According to the World Bank, PNG has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $2,590 (K5,623) as of 2020. This is lower than the GDP per capita of other countries in the Pacific region, such as:

• Fiji ($5,791), 
• Vanuatu ($3,478), 
• New Caledonia ($43,129), and 
• New Zealand ($43,547). 

As a result, the government have limited resources to allocate to education, especially teachers' salaries, leading to low salaries for teachers.

PNG government's budget allocation for education

Furthermore, the PNG government's budget allocation for education is relatively low compared to other countries in the region. (Note that this looks at the main education budget, excluding the Tuition Fee Free Education Funds)

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in 2019, the government allocated 3.1% of its GDP to education. This is lower than the allocation of other Pacific Island countries, such as 

• Solomon Islands (6.7%), 
• Fiji (5.2%), Vanuatu (4.9%), and 
• New Zealand (6.0%). 

A higher allocation of the budget to education could result in better salaries for teachers, among other improvements.

What can the PNG government do?

To reward teachers properly, the PNG government can take various steps, including:

• increasing the budget allocation for education, 
• providing incentives for teachers, and 
• improving the quality of education. 

A higher budget allocation for education could result in increased salaries for teachers, which can attract and retain qualified teachers in the profession. 

Providing incentives, such as performance-based pay, can motivate teachers to perform better, resulting in better learning outcomes for students.

Improving the quality of education can also lead to better salaries for teachers. When students perform better in national and international assessments, it reflects positively on the quality of education provided by the country. 

The government can improve the quality of education by investing in teacher training, providing resources for schools, and improving the curriculum.

PNG Teachers' Pay Compared to Pacific Island Countries

The salaries of teachers in PNG are lower compared to those in other countries, and this can be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic situation and the government's budget allocation for education. 

To reward teachers properly, the government can attract and retain qualified teachers in the profession, resulting in better learning outcomes for students and a brighter future for the country.

In summary, it is clear that the salaries of teachers in Papua New Guinea are comparatively low when compared to those in other Pacific Island countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. 

However, the government can take steps to reward teachers properly, including increasing the budget allocation for education, providing incentives for teachers, and improving the quality of education. 

It is essential for the government to recognize the important role that teachers play in shaping the future of the country and to ensure that they are adequately compensated for their work. 

Sources:

https://www.payscale.com/research/PG/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

https://www.education.gov.pg/

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=PG-FJ-NC-NZ-SB-VU

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS?locations=PG-FJ-NC-NZ-SB-VU

https://www.unesco.org/education/indices/education-at-a-glance/report-2019/developing-regions/pacific

https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/papuanewguinea/publication/pacific-human-capital-development-a-study-of-skills-shortages-in-the-region

https://www.asiapacific.ca/statistics/data-brief/gdp-capita-current-usd-2018

https://www.teachnz.govt.nz/getting-started/before-you-apply/what-youll-earn/

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=High_School_Teacher/Salary

PNG Public Service Pay Increase 2022 - 2024

A three-year (2022-2024) Salary Fixation Agreement has been signed to increase the pay of PNG public servants. The agreement provides for a general increase in the Public Service Performance Based Salary Structure or PBSS.

The increase comprises two parts over the three-year period:

• an increase of 1.5% generally across the board, plus
• an additional 1.5% of the base salary.

See the last pay increments for teachers here.

Schedule 1: PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2019 - 2022

Schedule 2: PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2022 - 2023

Schedule 3: PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2023 - 2024

Does the Pay Increase Include Teachers?

There is confusion that PNG teachers are not included in this pay rise. However, the Public Service minister, on 17th March 2023, clarified that teachers are Public Servants and they are also included in the pay rise.

Read more here - PNG Teachers Pay Increase 2023

Contact DPM - Port Moresby

If you have any questions about the 'PNG Public Service implementation of pay increase 2023 - 2024', call the Department of Personal Management (DPM) on 3276309, 3276392, 3276336, 3276373 or 3276403.

PNG Teachers Pay - Do Not Pay Bribe to Get Pay Processsed at Waigani

Teachers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) should not be paying fees to have their salaries processed, according to Camillus Kanau, the first secretary (financial services) of the Education Department. 

Kanau stated that it is wrong and must be discouraged for any officer, both at the national and provincial levels, to ask for inducements, charges, or service fees in relation to teachers' salary matters. 

He emphasized that there are established processes within the department to address such issues and urged teachers to report any such incidents.

Public Notice: Demanding Service Fees is Bribery and Corruption

Kanau further highlighted that the secretary's office has released a public notice stating that demanding service fees and charges in relation to teachers' salary matters is tantamount to bribery and corruption. 

He called on teachers to provide evidence, such as copies of deposit slips for manual transactions or statements for electronic transactions when reporting cases of officers asking for fees. 

This evidence would enable the department to track down responsible officers and report them to the department secretary for disciplinary action.

Complaints Require Proof of Payments

Despite the department receiving numerous complaints from teachers, Kanau explained that without proof of payments, it is challenging for the department to take action. 

He urged teachers to report such matters to their respective education advisers at the provincial level or to the office with evidence at the national level. 

Kanau emphasized the importance of providing evidence to help identify officers who are engaging in improper practices related to teachers' salary matters.

Protecting Teachers' Rights

As PNG strives to improve the education sector and ensure that teachers are treated fairly, Kanau's statement serves as a reminder that teachers should not be charged any fees for processing their salaries. 

The Education Department is committed to addressing any incidents of bribery or corruption in relation to teachers' pay and encourages teachers to come forward with evidence to hold accountable any officers who engage in such practices. 

It is vital to protect the rights and welfare of teachers, who play a critical role in shaping the future of PNG through their dedication to educating the nation's youth.

Teaching Service Fixation Agreement (2014-2016) - PNG Public Service Pay Scale

New teachers and those who do not know how you are paid, you are paid up Scales of 1 - 12 (TS1 – TS12) and across Grades 1 - 7. In other words, you move up the Pay Scale and along the Pay Grade. It can happen simultaneously or one at a time.

Salary Fixation Agreement 2014 – 2016 Teachers Pay Scale and Pay Grade

Click on the link to see the latest pay increase for PNG Public Servants 2022 - 2024

PNG Public Service Pay Scale

A review of teachers’ salaries conducted in 2013 agreed to a 33% rise in base pay over three years, 2014 - 2016. The increment came at the back of an increase in the number of students and teachers increased workload; as well as the increasing prices of goods and services. The increment was, in fact, an agreement set in stone and effective as of the first pay of 2014. 

By now all teachers, from preprimary to primary and secondary schools, should be paid the agreed salaries at 2016 rates.

An additional Service Allowance of 10% was also accorded to teachers and matured in 2016. This additional increase means that between (and inclusive of) 2014 and 2016 teachers’ total salaries (TOTAL SALARY = BASE SALARY + SERVICE ALLOWANCE) increased by 43%. 

Teachers, perhaps it is important to know your pay scale and pay grade. Knowing the two will help you to determine whether you are receiving the right salary or not. The diagram shows the increase – take particular note of 2016 salaries.

#PNG teachers' salary scale: by now all teachers nationwide should be receiving the correct pay package according to the agreement. pic.twitter.com/nVVCBP9NdY

— PNG Insight (@PNG_Insight) May 27, 2017

PNG teachers pay increase

The Teaching Service is now accountable to teachers after the three years, 2014-2017. The TSC has got to do its work right. At the moment, two questions needed answers from the commission, TSC:

1. Are the teachers paid at 2016 pay grade?

This is a serious question and only teachers and school administrators know whether they received the promised increase or not. Make it your agenda in school staff meetings. Confirm your pay scale and pay grade. Make sure you are paid your dues. 

If you are sitting on a confirmed position (by this I mean a confirmed pay scale and pay grade); and not paid the right amount, raise it immediately and asked for a back payment.

Note: Do not waste your time if you are acting on a substantive level. Do not try to claim at that pay scale as you will not be entertained.

2. When is another review due?

According to the Teaching Service Fixation Agreement 2014-2016, another review was due on the 1st of January 2017. I hope TSC has not gone to sleep on it. 

This review has to be considered urgent. It is already overdue. The TSC, Education Secretary and Education Minister (in the new government after the June elections) must make it their number one priority. 

Having said that, the TSC commissioner and Education Secretary should initiate the review NOW. They shouldn’t wait. Another 3-year review (2018-2020) has to be swiftly done and submitted to the new education minister as soon as s/he is appointed to the role in the new government. 

All in all, increasing the price of goods and services and overcrowding in classrooms; capped off with a mountain of work, teachers deserve another pay increase. TSC must think right – take the lead, and urgently initiate a review of teachers’ salaries, service allowance and leave entitlements.

PNG MPs Salary: Why Are MPs Getting Raises While Lower-Level Public Servants Struggle?

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), there have been many reforms taking place in various government departments, such as health and education, which have placed a significant burden on the implementers, including teachers. 

While there have been pay increases for teachers in recent years, the same cannot be said for Members of Parliament (MPs), who seem to be getting raises almost every year. 

This article aims to explore the issue of MPs' salaries in PNG and question the need for frequent increases while lower-level public servants struggle.

Reforms and Burden on Implementers

The reforms in PNG, particularly in the fields of health and education, have been challenging for those tasked with implementing them. 

Teachers, in particular, have been under immense pressure due to limited resources and increased workloads. 

These reforms are aimed at improving the quality of education and healthcare services in the country, but the burden on the implementers cannot be ignored.

Pay Increase for Teachers

In 2013, there was commendable news for teachers as a pay increase was announced by Dr Puka Temu, the Public Service Minister in the government of Peter O'Neill. 

However, this increase was backdated to January 2013 and paid just before Christmas, which raised eyebrows among the public. 

The question then arises: why do MPs get frequent raises while other public servants have to wait for years for an increase?

MPs' Frequent Raises

A closer look at the history of pay increases for MPs in PNG reveals a concerning trend. 

In November 2010, Sir Michael Somare's government unanimously approved a massive 52% pay rise just before Christmas, which was followed by another 7% increase in November 2013, backdated to January 2013. 

These frequent raises for MPs raise questions about their necessity and whether MPs truly deserve such increases.

Unjustified Increases

It is hard to understand why MPs in PNG receive such frequent raises, especially when lower-level public servants, such as teachers and health workers, struggle with limited salaries. 

The massive increases in MPs' salaries sustain their lavish lifestyles, but do they really need these raises? 

The government has also announced separate increases for public sector workers, including MPs, but it is unclear whether this increase applies to community school teachers and community health workers.

Have a look at what teachers in countries like Fiji are getting compared to PNG teachers.

Comparison of Salaries

A comparison of the salaries of MPs and lower-level public servants in PNG paints a stark picture. 

Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, DPM, and Opposition Leader earn significantly higher salaries compared to classroom teachers, government ministers, and provincial governors. 

In fact, the average salary of a PNG classroom teacher is compounded to be only K21,525 for the year 2014, while MPs earn much higher salaries.

Final words...

In conclusion, the issue of MPs' salaries in PNG raises concerns about the frequency of raises and the disparity between the salaries of MPs and lower-level public servants. 

While reforms are taking place in various government departments, and public servants, particularly teachers, are burdened with increased workloads and limited resources, it seems unfair for MPs to receive frequent raises to sustain their lavish lifestyles. 

It is time for the government to reconsider the justification for these raises and ensure that lower-level public servants are also fairly compensated for their hard work.