How much does a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist make?
The median probation officer and correctional treatment specialist in the United States earns $66,270 per year, about $31.86 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-1092.
Probation officer and correctional treatment specialist salary range
Pay for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,840 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $107,790. The average (mean) wage of $73,130 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 | $46,840 | $22.52 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $54,250 | $26.08 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,270 | $31.86 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $84,780 | $40.76 | |
| 90th percentile | $107,790 | $51.82 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists (SOC 21-1092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Probation officer and correctional treatment specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earn the most in California at $103,640 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $34,110. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $103,640 | 13,900 |
| Connecticut | $97,350 | 1,200 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 | 1,200 |
| Oregon | $84,920 | 1,260 |
| Vermont | $83,820 | 190 |
| Washington | $82,750 | 2,150 |
| Delaware | $81,880 | 380 |
| Minnesota | $81,580 | 2,040 |
| New York | $80,350 | 4,360 |
| New Jersey | $80,280 | 2,890 |
| Michigan | $79,760 | 2,190 |
| Iowa | $77,390 | 950 |
| Alaska | $77,000 | 480 |
| Maryland | $76,390 | 1,370 |
| Nevada | $75,840 | 780 |
| Illinois | $74,390 | 2,590 |
| Hawaii | $73,830 | 40 |
| Colorado | $71,680 | 2,540 |
| Maine | $71,140 | 160 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,370 | 4,310 |
| South Dakota | $66,870 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $66,000 | 620 |
| North Dakota | $65,140 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $63,460 | 560 |
| Louisiana | $62,910 | 980 |
| North Carolina | $62,220 | 3,310 |
| Kansas | $61,890 | 760 |
| Ohio | $61,120 | 3,310 |
| Alabama | $61,050 | 1,080 |
| Arizona | $60,910 | 1,100 |
| Georgia | $60,270 | 2,650 |
| Indiana | $60,170 | 2,270 |
| Idaho | $59,780 | 760 |
| Montana | $59,750 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $59,610 | 830 |
| Virginia | $58,820 | 2,730 |
| Tennessee | $58,010 | 2,120 |
| South Carolina | $56,780 | 460 |
| Wyoming | $56,580 | 200 |
| West Virginia | $53,120 | 890 |
| Texas | $52,880 | 8,100 |
| Arkansas | $51,180 | 850 |
| Florida | $50,960 | 4,490 |
| Oklahoma | $50,380 | 870 |
| Missouri | $46,840 | 2,290 |
| Mississippi | $34,110 | 150 |
State median wages for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists (SOC 21-1092), 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 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
The BLS projects employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 93,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 96,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,900 openings a year for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. 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 probation officer and correctional treatment specialist
The typical entry-level education for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $103,640) and the lowest (Mississippi, $34,110) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 89,390 people work as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in the United States. At $66,270 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Probation officer and correctional treatment specialist salary FAQ
How much does a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist is $31.86. The middle half of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earn between $26.08 and $40.76 per hour.
What is the highest probation officer and correctional treatment specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earn more than $107,790 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist is $66,270. The average (mean) wage of $73,130 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 probation officer and correctional treatment specialist a well paid job?
At $66,270 a year, a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 89,390 people work as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in the United States.
Which state pays probation officers and correctional treatment specialists the most?
California has the highest median salary for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists at $103,640 a year. Connecticut ($97,350) and Massachusetts ($94,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist a good career?
Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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