Correctional Officers and Jailers pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for correctional officers and jailers is $24.49 an hour ($50,940 a year). About 6,990 people work in this job there.
That is 14% lower than the U.S. median ($58,940). Tennessee ranks 34th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.60 | $38,690 |
| 25% of workers | $22.48 | $46,750 |
| Half of workers (median) | $24.49 | $50,940 |
| 75% of workers | $27.76 | $57,740 |
| 90% of workers | $30.19 | $62,790 |
Correctional Officers and Jailers pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $53,210 | 1,370 |
| Knoxville | $52,040 | 720 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $50,940 | 2,040 |
| Chattanooga | $49,430 | 310 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $48,440 | 430 |
| Clarksville | $46,260 | 200 |
| Jackson | $45,770 | 140 |
| Morristown | $43,060 | 100 |
| Johnson City | $40,570 | 60 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Security Guards | $36,000 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 |
| Residential Advisors | $34,700 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,140 |
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.