Juvenile Probation Officer Salary

There are very few careers where you can actually get to change the life of someone who needs help, especially those who are troubled at an early age. One exception is a juvenile probation officer who is hired to supervise kids under the age of 18 who have run into some criminal problems. It’s their job to see to it that the child receives the help and motivation that will lead them away from a life of crime, and down the road to a productive adult life. It can be a challenging, yet a rewarding job, but like most positions, anyone interested usually want to know what the juvenile probation officer salary is before they sign up for the career.

The juvenile probation officer salary will vary wildly from state to state, but what doesn’t change are the education and qualifications that are required to get started. That means coming to the table with a 4-year degree in a related program such as criminal justice, social work, or psychology. If the applicant has a Master’s degree, or experience in the field of corrections or substance abuse, then there is a better chance for advancement, as well as a better starting salary.

A degree is one thing, but anyone looking to get into the field of juvenile probation is going to have to come with a laundry list of skills that go well beyond just mental acuity. Those will include, but will not be limited to, being both mentally and physically fit, having strong verbal communication skills, a high level of patience and compassion, and a valid driver’s license. There will be a lot of time spent traveling from location to location, and the driver’s is an absolute must. Strong written skills are also a great asset as there will be many reports to be written, all of which need to be done in a neat, clear and concise manner.

Even after being hired, the average juvenile probation officer will have to go through a minimum of 40 hours on the job training. During that time they will learn the finer points of safety, state laws, testifying in court, writing reports, and much, much more. It’s a lot to learn, and this is where those who aren’t truly committed to the career can fall flat. That is why most states will have their officers hired on a one year probation period where they will be given the chance to sink or swim.

If the can pass through that year doing a good job, then they will take on all the duties expected of them, which will mean spending a lot of time counseling young offenders, and acting as a go-between with them and their families and teachers. It’s a demanding job, and the average juvenile probation officer salary comes in at around $50,000 per year. The low end of the scale sits around $30,000 with the top earners receiving something in the $78,000 range. Most will tell you that they are not in it for the money though, and the greatest satisfaction they get is making a difference on a daily basis.