A nine-to-five job is not for everyone.
If you are someone who craves adventure, excitement, and an opportunity to be of service to your country and community, then you should consider working in the military and law enforcement fields.
Few military and law enforcement occupations require an academic degree.
They are wide open to people with talent, drive, and aspirations.
Here are some of the jobs you should consider.
1. Helicopter Pilot
Why Become a Helicopter Pilot?
Helicopter pilots exist in all branches of the military.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard all have fleets of helicopters.
Helicopter pilots do some of the most important work in the Armed Forces.
From hunting submarines to evacuating wounded soldiers from the battlefield to carrying out search and rescue missions at sea, you will be involved in some of the most interesting jobs imaginable.
The average salary for a helicopter pilot is $175,870.
Training for this occupation takes about 6 months.
| Helicopter Pilot Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $198,190 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Helicopter Pilot
2. Police Officer
Why Become a Police Officer?
To protect and serve.
This is the motto of many police departments around the country.
As a police officer, you will play an important role in protecting people’s lives and property.
Most police work involves helping those in your community solve difficult problems.
Traffic accidents, home burglaries, domestic disputes, general dangers to public safety—are all things you will have a role in managing and resolving.
The average salary of a police officer is $67,600.
It typically takes 4+ years to get the training you need to be a supervising officer.
| Police Officer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,750 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $34.02 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Police Officer
3. Interpreter
Why Become an Interpreter?
Interpreters work in various industries.
However, some of the most important interpreter work is done for the armed forces.
Having able translators is essential to military missions undertaken overseas.
You can also work as an interpreter for the police department.
Such professionals are in high demand in departments that police area with large non-English speaking communities.
As an interpreter, you will be doing a great service to law enforcement and the people of the local community.
The average salary of an interpreter is $57,000.
It requires 4+ years of education and training.
| Interpreter Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $58,400 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.08 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 42% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Interpreter
4. FBI Agent
Why Become an FBI Agent?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
If you are interested in detective work in particular, and you want to be part of the elitist force in this field, then you should consider becoming an FBI Agent.
The FBI is an agency with a sprawling portfolio.
It is not only responsible for the investigation of federal crimes; it also has the mandate to support local police in major crimes investigations, as well as counter-terrorism and counterintelligence missions.
As an FBI agent, you will have the opportunity to work on various types of cases.
It will give you a chance to live a thrilling and adventurous life.
The average salary of an FBI agent is $67,000.
A four-year college degree is required.
And there is an additional 4+ years of training.
| FBI Agent Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $70,750 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $34.02 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an FBI Agent
5. Private Investigator
Why Become a Private Investigator?
Although many private investigators have experience in detective work, this is not a requirement for the job.
Indeed, the field of private investigation has changed considerably over the last couple of decades.
There is not so much cloak-and-dagger as in times past.
Private investigation has always been about the gathering of information.
And most information nowadays is stored and communicated in the virtual sphere.
People with extensive knowledge of and experience in IT have recently entered the private investigation industry in droves.
If you have this type of expertise, then you should consider becoming a private investigator.
Your most important role will be to gather the kinds of facts and truths that can help your clients make important life decisions.
The average salary for a PI is $57,000.
It takes 4+ years of training to become proficient.
| Private Investigator Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $60,970 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $29.31 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 8% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Private Investigator
6. Police Detective
Why Become a Police Detective?
The job of a police detective is to solve major crimes that have occurred in their community.
Murder, robbery, and robbery-homicide constitute the majority of cases taken on by police detectives.
As a police detective, you will investigate such crimes by gathering evidence at the scene, interviewing witnesses, conducting expert analysis, and managing the team of forensic scientists assigned to the case.
It is a great way to serve your community.
The average salary for a police detective is $86,030.
3-4 years of training is required.
| Police Detective Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $90,370 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $43.45 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Police Detective
