Correctional Officers and Jailers
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,890 | $40,250 | $19.35 | |
| Alaska | 1,230 | $67,020 | $32.22 | |
| Arizona | 14,160 | $45,070 | $21.67 | |
| Arkansas | 6,020 | $36,770 | $17.68 | |
| California | 37,640 | $81,170 | $39.03 | |
| Colorado | 7,290 | $54,570 | $26.24 | |
| Connecticut | 3,790 | $55,820 | $26.84 | |
| Delaware | 1,800 | $48,700 | $23.41 | |
| Florida | 21,890 | $45,650 | $21.95 | |
| Georgia | 11,120 | $36,390 | $17.49 | |
| Hawaii | 1,380 | $62,770 | $30.18 | |
| Idaho | 1,610 | $45,540 | $21.90 | |
| Illinois | 13,890 | $62,840 | $30.21 | |
| Indiana | 7,880 | $40,810 | $19.62 | |
| Iowa | 3,120 | $52,180 | $25.09 | |
| Kansas | 3,740 | $41,520 | $19.96 | |
| Kentucky | 4,960 | $36,750 | $17.67 | |
| Louisiana | 8,160 | $37,960 | $18.25 | |
| Maine | 990 | $43,660 | $20.99 | |
| Maryland | 6,720 | $52,870 | $25.42 | |
| Massachusetts | 5,560 | $72,260 | $34.74 | |
| Michigan | 8,370 | $54,380 | $26.14 | |
| Minnesota | 4,750 | $56,350 | $27.09 | |
| Mississippi | 3,600 | $33,430 | $16.07 | |
| Missouri | 5,990 | $34,550 | $16.61 | |
| Montana | 1,370 | $42,950 | $20.65 | |
| Nebraska | 2,840 | $46,500 | $22.35 | |
| Nevada | 3,010 | $65,070 | $31.28 | |
| New Hampshire | 650 | $51,380 | $24.70 | |
| New Jersey | 9,670 | $73,490 | $35.33 | |
| New Mexico | 3,280 | $39,170 | $18.83 | |
| New York | 34,280 | $71,160 | $34.21 | |
| North Carolina | 15,300 | $41,520 | $19.96 | |
| North Dakota | 1,420 | $48,510 | $23.32 | |
| Ohio | 13,060 | $48,120 | $23.13 | |
| Oklahoma | 4,410 | $37,640 | $18.10 | |
| Oregon | 4,700 | $68,790 | $33.07 | |
| Pennsylvania | 16,590 | $58,260 | $28.01 | |
| South Carolina | 5,580 | $40,620 | $19.53 | |
| South Dakota | 1,410 | $42,160 | $20.27 | |
| Tennessee | 9,550 | $39,920 | $19.19 | |
| Texas | 39,030 | $43,800 | $21.06 | |
| Utah | 1,810 | $48,050 | $23.10 | |
| Vermont | 480 | $50,320 | $24.19 | |
| Virginia | 12,480 | $44,110 | $21.21 | |
| Washington | 6,860 | $62,960 | $30.27 | |
| West Virginia | 3,270 | $42,270 | $20.32 | |
| Wisconsin | 7,150 | $49,500 | $23.80 | |
| Wyoming | 870 | $47,540 | $22.86 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program of study that focuses on the general study of criminal justice and corrections. Includes instruction in criminology, criminal justice, correctional science, forensic science, law enforcement, psychology, and ethics.
A program that prepares individuals to study the theories and principles, of correctional science and to function as professional corrections officers and other workers in public and/or private incarceration facilities.
A program that prepares individuals to specialize in the provision of correction services to underage minor populations. Includes instruction in corrections, juvenile delinquency, juvenile development and psychology, juvenile law and justice administration, social services, record-keeping procedures, and communication skills.
Any instructional program in corrections and criminal justice not listed above.
-
$53,420 per yearNational average salaryDecliningJob growth rate
-
High school diploma or equivalentTypical education requirement
-
Moderate-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as correctional officers and jailers.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 31%
- College dropout 35%
- Associate’s degree 14%
- Bachelor’s degree 16%
- Master’s degree 3%
- Doctorate degree 0%
Similar Careers
-
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$69,750 per year Average salaryDecliningJob growth rate
-
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$63,290 per year Average salarySlowJob growth rate
-
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$70,750 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Bailiffs$52,340 per year Average salaryDecliningJob growth rate
-
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$98,760 per year Average salarySlowJob growth rate