How much does a correctional officer and jailer make?
The median correctional officer and jailer in the United States earns $58,940 per year, about $28.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all correctional officers and jailers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-3012.
Correctional officer and jailer salary range
Pay for correctional officers and jailers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,760 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $93,220. The average (mean) wage of $63,630 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 | $42,760 | $20.56 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,640 | $23.38 | |
| Median (50th) | $58,940 | $28.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,850 | $36.47 | |
| 90th percentile | $93,220 | $44.82 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Correctional officer and jailer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Correctional officers and jailers earn the most in California at $96,370 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $38,720. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $96,370 | 37,860 |
| New Jersey | $94,770 | 7,570 |
| Massachusetts | $86,310 | 6,360 |
| Oregon | $83,690 | 3,650 |
| Washington | $79,460 | 6,800 |
| Illinois | $79,190 | 12,190 |
| New York | $76,820 | 27,770 |
| Nevada | $76,490 | 3,240 |
| Wisconsin | $73,470 | 7,360 |
| Alaska | $71,360 | 850 |
| Hawaii | $69,570 | 1,310 |
| Utah | $67,290 | 2,050 |
| Minnesota | $66,040 | 5,350 |
| Delaware | $65,880 | 1,730 |
| Connecticut | $64,750 | 3,780 |
| Maryland | $64,250 | 6,060 |
| Michigan | $64,020 | 8,220 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,460 | 15,560 |
| Nebraska | $63,380 | 3,250 |
| Colorado | $62,140 | 7,290 |
| New Hampshire | $61,360 | 680 |
| Ohio | $59,370 | 12,610 |
| Kansas | $56,120 | 3,380 |
| Arizona | $54,970 | 14,230 |
| Wyoming | $54,780 | 920 |
| Vermont | $53,810 | 450 |
| Idaho | $53,580 | 2,370 |
| Iowa | $53,040 | 3,440 |
| South Dakota | $53,040 | 1,490 |
| West Virginia | $52,890 | 2,980 |
| Maine | $52,730 | 1,090 |
| Texas | $52,670 | 44,700 |
| North Dakota | $52,460 | 1,290 |
| Tennessee | $50,940 | 6,990 |
| North Carolina | $50,550 | 11,900 |
| Virginia | $50,140 | 11,270 |
| Florida | $49,710 | 24,280 |
| Montana | $49,180 | 1,430 |
| Indiana | $48,340 | 8,060 |
| New Mexico | $47,940 | 2,740 |
| South Carolina | $47,890 | 4,870 |
| Georgia | $47,520 | 10,640 |
| Alabama | $46,660 | 4,970 |
| Oklahoma | $45,690 | 3,730 |
| Missouri | $42,620 | 6,670 |
| Kentucky | $42,310 | 6,770 |
| Arkansas | $40,330 | 4,460 |
| Louisiana | $39,850 | 7,960 |
| Mississippi | $38,720 | 4,040 |
State median wages for correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012), 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 correctional officers and jailers
The BLS projects employment of correctional officers and jailers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 7.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 397,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 368,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 28,400 openings a year for correctional officers and jailers. 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 correctional officer and jailer
The typical entry-level education for correctional officers and jailers 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 correctional officer and jailer 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 (California, $96,370) and the lowest (Mississippi, $38,720) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 380,500 people work as correctional officers and jailers in the United States. At $58,940 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Correctional officer and jailer salary FAQ
How much does a correctional officer and jailer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a correctional officer and jailer is $28.34. The middle half of correctional officers and jailers earn between $23.38 and $36.47 per hour.
What is the highest correctional officer and jailer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of correctional officers and jailers earn more than $93,220 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a correctional officer and jailer make a year?
The median annual salary for a correctional officer and jailer is $58,940. The average (mean) wage of $63,630 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 correctional officer and jailer a well paid job?
At $58,940 a year, a correctional officer and jailer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 380,500 people work as correctional officers and jailers in the United States.
Which state pays correctional officers and jailers the most?
California has the highest median salary for correctional officers and jailers at $96,370 a year. New Jersey ($94,770) and Massachusetts ($86,310) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a correctional officer and jailer a good career?
Employment of correctional officers and jailers is projected to shrink 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 28,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a correctional officer and jailer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for correctional officers and jailers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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