Correctional Officers and Jailers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for correctional officers and jailers is $28.34 an hour ($58,940 a year). About 380,500 people work in this job there.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.56 | $42,760 |
| 25% of workers | $23.38 | $48,640 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.34 | $58,940 |
| 75% of workers | $36.47 | $75,850 |
| 90% of workers | $44.82 | $93,220 |
Best-paying states for correctional officers and jailers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $46,660
- Alaska · $71,360
- Arizona · $54,970
- Arkansas · $40,330
- California · $96,370
- Colorado · $62,140
- Connecticut · $64,750
- Delaware · $65,880
- Florida · $49,710
- Georgia · $47,520
- Hawaii · $69,570
- Idaho · $53,580
- Illinois · $79,190
- Indiana · $48,340
- Iowa · $53,040
- Kansas · $56,120
- Kentucky · $42,310
- Louisiana · $39,850
- Maine · $52,730
- Maryland · $64,250
- Massachusetts · $86,310
- Michigan · $64,020
- Minnesota · $66,040
- Mississippi · $38,720
- Missouri · $42,620
- Montana · $49,180
- Nebraska · $63,380
- Nevada · $76,490
- New Hampshire · $61,360
- New Jersey · $94,770
- New Mexico · $47,940
- New York · $76,820
- North Carolina · $50,550
- North Dakota · $52,460
- Ohio · $59,370
- Oklahoma · $45,690
- Oregon · $83,690
- Pennsylvania · $63,460
- South Carolina · $47,890
- South Dakota · $53,040
- Tennessee · $50,940
- Texas · $52,670
- Utah · $67,290
- Virginia · $50,140
- Washington · $79,460
- West Virginia · $52,890
- Wisconsin · $73,470
- Wyoming · $54,780
Education, experience and outlook for correctional officers and jailers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -7.4% over ten years, declining · about 28,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Security Guards | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,790 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $66,270 |
| Residential Advisors | $42,240 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,940 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,970 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.