How much does a bailiff make?
The median bailiff in the United States earns $56,600 per year, about $27.21 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all bailiffs earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-3011.
Bailiff salary range
Pay for bailiffs spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $32,140 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $96,770. The average (mean) wage of $61,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,140 | $15.45 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $43,720 | $21.02 | |
| Median (50th) | $56,600 | $27.21 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $74,630 | $35.88 | |
| 90th percentile | $96,770 | $46.53 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for bailiffs (SOC 33-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Bailiff salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Bailiffs earn the most in Connecticut at $111,890 a year, and the least in North Dakota at $27,560. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $111,890 | 40 |
| Alaska | $90,600 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $86,730 | 930 |
| Washington | $78,290 | 180 |
| New York | $77,540 | 3,830 |
| Nebraska | $76,090 | 50 |
| Nevada | $71,230 | 210 |
| Kansas | $69,390 | 450 |
| Colorado | $63,320 | 70 |
| Maine | $62,800 | 110 |
| Georgia | $62,400 | 670 |
| Virginia | $62,290 | 320 |
| Texas | $60,300 | 590 |
| Maryland | $59,470 | 410 |
| Florida | $59,000 | 940 |
| Utah | $57,290 | 40 |
| Oregon | $57,140 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $56,100 | 250 |
| Michigan | $53,810 | 780 |
| Iowa | $52,100 | 60 |
| Ohio | $51,060 | 1,640 |
| Idaho | $50,350 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $49,890 | 40 |
| Hawaii | $48,940 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,600 | 610 |
| Montana | $46,800 | 40 |
| Arizona | $46,390 | 270 |
| Illinois | $46,390 | 960 |
| Arkansas | $45,090 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $44,040 | 90 |
| Missouri | $44,040 | 280 |
| New Jersey | $43,690 | 50 |
| Indiana | $43,000 | 510 |
| Alabama | $42,300 | 150 |
| Oklahoma | $42,000 | 180 |
| New Hampshire | $41,010 | 60 |
| Wisconsin | $39,080 | 250 |
| Wyoming | $38,360 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $38,200 | 180 |
| West Virginia | $36,250 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $35,990 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $34,280 | 270 |
| Kentucky | $30,760 | 760 |
| North Dakota | $27,560 | 170 |
State median wages for bailiffs (SOC 33-3011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for bailiffs
The BLS projects employment of bailiffs to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 18,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 17,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,600 openings a year for bailiffs. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a bailiff
The typical entry-level education for bailiffs is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a bailiff earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $111,890) and the lowest (North Dakota, $27,560) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 17,310 people work as bailiffs in the United States. At $56,600 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Bailiff salary FAQ
How much does a bailiff make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a bailiff is $27.21. The middle half of bailiffs earn between $21.02 and $35.88 per hour.
What is the highest bailiff salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of bailiffs earn more than $96,770 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a bailiff make a year?
The median annual salary for a bailiff is $56,600. The average (mean) wage of $61,660 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a bailiff a well paid job?
At $56,600 a year, a bailiff earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 17,310 people work as bailiffs in the United States.
Which state pays bailiffs the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for bailiffs at $111,890 a year. Alaska ($90,600) and Massachusetts ($86,730) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a bailiff a good career?
Employment of bailiffs is projected to shrink 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a bailiff?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for bailiffs as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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