Probation Officer
Impact: Direct
Probation officers work with individuals who have been sentenced to probation instead of incarceration. They monitor their clients' behavior, ensure compliance with court orders, and provide guidance and resources to help them reintegrate into society and avoid reoffending. This often involves conducting interviews, making home visits, collaborating with social services, and preparing reports for the court.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Balanced
- Client facing
- Always
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Frequent local travel
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- Limited Remote
- Typical work hours
- 40
- Stress level
- High
At a glance
- Median salary
- $60,000
- Entry-level
- $45,000
- Senior
- $80,000
- Growth by 2033
- 0.03
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- None
- Salary growth potential
- Moderate
- Typical student debt
- $30,000 - $50,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Case Management
- Report Writing
- Legal Knowledge
- Interviewing
- Data Analysis
Soft skills
- Communication
- Empathy
- Problem-solving
- Conflict Resolution
- Critical Thinking
Technical complexity: Moderate
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's degree
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Senior Probation Officer, Supervisor, Program Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 0.15
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 3.5/10
- Meaning
- 4/10
- Work-life balance
- 3/10
- Prestige
- 6.5/10
- Social perception
- High