Does Criminal Psychology Pay Well?
Criminal psychologists are frequently featured as stars in television shows such as "CSI." A criminal psychologist studies the criminals' behaviours and thought processes. A large part of a criminal psychologist's job is to investigate why criminals commit crimes. They may also evaluate criminals to determine the risk of recidivism (how likely the person is to re-offend in the future) or make educated guesses about the actions that a criminal may have taken after committing a crime.
People in this field typically work in offices and courts. A criminal psychologist may spend a significant amount of time interviewing people, researching an offender's life history, or testifying in court. Criminal psychologists may work closely with the police and federal agents to help them solve crimes in some cases, often by developing profiles of murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals.
A bachelor's degree in psychology is required to become a criminal psychologist. Following completion of an undergraduate degree, some students choose to pursue a master's degree in psychology. Another option is to enrol in a doctoral programme after completing your bachelor's. Job opportunities in this field are more plentiful for those with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology.
Criminal psychologists are employed in a variety of settings. Some work for the government at the local, state, or federal levels, while others work for themselves as independent consultants. Others choose to teach criminal psychology at the university level or in specialised criminology training centres.
After finishing their education, they begin working in law firms. In terms of earnings, salaries for specialist psychologists are higher than in other fields of practice, with a mean annual wage of $95,610. In 2018, annual earnings ranged from $41,220 to $127,510, with criminal psychologists earning an average of $98,230 as of May 2019. Specialist psychologists working for state and local governments or private practice earn higher average salaries, whereas those working for the federal government or hospitals earn lower annual salaries, with an average salary of $94,670 and $104,280, respectively. In India, the average salary of a fresher forensic psychologist could be around INR 1.25 lakh per year, then pay in India is typically increased by approximately INR 4 lakh per year. With more experience, you could earn up to INR 30 lakh per year. The forensic psychologist determines whether the criminal has a disorder or illness and they could also assist in determining the length of the sentence.
Becoming a criminal psychologist is not easy; Whether female or male, both require a great deal of patience, endurance, and logical thinking. Along with all of the necessary educational qualifications and licenses, you must also possess certain qualities such as good communication skills, strong intuition, a strong mindset, emotional separation, work ethic, and discipline. With these characteristics, you can easily pursue a career as a criminal psychologist.
A WORD FROM SOCIALLY SOULEDÂ
In India, becoming a criminal psychologist is on the rise, and it's not always the money that motivates you, it is the interest in the job and the dedication that brings you the job satisfaction and motivation to work.