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Court officer (bailiff): pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$56,600median pay per year, or $27.21 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $32,140lowest 10% earn less
  2. $43,72025th percentile
  3. $56,600median
  4. $74,63075th percentile
  5. $96,770top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Bailiffs, the official category for a court officer, had a median pay of $56,600 a year in May 2025, above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to shrink by 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, though about 1,600 openings a year are still expected[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
-1.9%[3]
Openings per year
1,600[4]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do court officers make?

The official BLS category for a court officer is Bailiffs. Their median pay in May 2025 was $56,600 a year, or $27.21 an hour[1]. Half of bailiffs earned more and half earned less. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2], so bailiffs sit above that line. The average (mean) wage was $61,660 a year, or $29.65 an hour[7].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $32,140 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $96,770[5]. BLS explains that a percentile is a boundary and that it publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[5][9] $32,140 $15.45
25th percentile[5][9] $43,720 $21.02
Median[1] $56,600 $27.21
75th percentile[5][9] $74,630 $35.88
90th percentile[5][9] $96,770 $46.53

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 44 states with published data, Connecticut was listed first with a median of $111,890 a year, but it had only 40 jobs[11]. Alaska was next at $90,600 (60 jobs), then Massachusetts at $86,730 (930 jobs)[11]. North Dakota was listed last at $27,560[11]. Many state counts are small, so treat single-state figures with care.

New York had the most bailiff jobs at 3,830, followed by Ohio (1,640), Illinois (960), Florida (940) and Massachusetts (930)[12]. New York's median was $77,540[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA was listed first at $164,040 (220 jobs), followed by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $100,570[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs at 2,730, with a median of $83,360[14].

Show median pay in 44 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Connecticut[11]$111,89040
Alaska$90,60060
Massachusetts$86,730930
Washington$78,290180
New York$77,5403,830
Nebraska$76,09050
Nevada$71,230210
Kansas$69,390450
Colorado$63,32070
Maine$62,800110
Georgia$62,400670
Virginia$62,290320
Texas$60,300590
Maryland$59,470410
Florida$59,000940
Utah$57,29040
Oregon$57,14080
North Carolina$56,100250
Michigan$53,810780
Iowa$52,10060
Ohio$51,0601,640
Idaho$50,350110
Minnesota$49,89040
Hawaii$48,94050
Pennsylvania$47,600610
Montana$46,80040
Arizona$46,390270
Illinois$46,390960
Arkansas$45,090140
Louisiana$44,04090
Missouri$44,040280
New Jersey$43,69050
Indiana$43,000510
Alabama$42,300150
Oklahoma$42,000180
New Hampshire$41,01060
Wisconsin$39,080250
Wyoming$38,36050
Mississippi$38,200180
West Virginia$36,250160
Tennessee$35,990100
South Carolina$34,280270
Kentucky$30,760760
North Dakota$27,560170

How to become a court officer

The typical path into the Bailiffs category has few steps[6]:

The training details come from a BLS profile that covers bailiffs together with other related occupations, so it describes the wider group[16]. That profile says academy training varies by state and covers subjects such as self-defense, policies, regulations and security procedures[17]. Graduates may shadow experienced officers afterward[18]. Some states require state certification, so check with your state agency[19].

For correctional officers, many agencies set a minimum age that is usually between 18 and 21[20]. Qualifications vary by state and agency[20]. The facts we have do not say how long academy training lasts or what it costs.

Bailiffs may advance to senior bailiff or other supervisory positions[21]. O*NET lists other job titles for this work, including Court Bailiff, Court Deputy and Court Security Officer[22].

What court officers do

O*NET describes the job as keeping order in courts of law[23]. Typical tasks include:

BLS lists decision-making, attention to detail and interpersonal skills as important qualities for the wider group of correctional officers and bailiffs[25][26][27].

Where they work

Bailiffs generally work in courtrooms[28]. In the wider group of correctional officers and bailiffs, local government was the largest employer, at 64% in 2025[29]. Both groups may have to stand for long periods and stay alert through a whole shift[30]. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session[31]. Most correctional officers and bailiffs work full time[31].

For the correctional side of the wider group, BLS says work in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous, and correctional officers and jailers have one of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects that bailiff employment will decline 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 18,000 to 17,700 jobs[3]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[33]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the 17,310 wage and salary jobs counted in May 2025[34][3].

Even with a decline, about 1,600 openings a year are projected on average from 2025 to 2035[4]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[4]. Each year, 5% of workers leave the labor force and 4.2% move to a different occupation[35].

BLS names falling caseloads and court consolidation as the reasons demand is expected to fall[36].

Is it a good fit?

The entry bar is a high school diploma or equivalent with no related experience, followed by on-the-job training[6]. Median pay is above the all-occupations median[1][2], and the range runs from $32,140 to $96,770 across the 10th to 90th percentiles[5]. The job suits people who are comfortable standing for long periods and staying alert in a courtroom[30]. On the other side, employment is projected to shrink slightly[3], and pay differs a lot by state[11]. Check your own state's training and certification rules before you plan[17][19].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a court officer make an hour?
The median pay for bailiffs was $27.21 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $15.45 and the 90th percentile was $46.53[9].
What degree do you need to be a court officer?
No degree is listed. The typical entry education for bailiffs is a high school diploma or equivalent, with no related work experience[6].
Is a court officer job in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[3][33]. About 1,600 openings a year are still projected[4].
What is the highest paying state for bailiffs?
Connecticut was listed first with a median of $111,890 a year, based on 40 jobs[11]. Alaska was second at $90,600[11].
What do court officers do?
They keep order in courts of law[23]. Tasks include screening people at the courthouse door, escorting prisoners and guarding the jury[24].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Bailiffs in the US was $56,600 per year and $27.21 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Bailiffs is projected to decline 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 18,000 to 17,700 jobs (a change of -300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,600 openings for Bailiffs are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Bailiffs: 10th percentile $32,140, 25th percentile $43,720, 75th percentile $74,630, 90th percentile $96,770. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Bailiffs: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Bailiffs was $61,660 per year and $29.65 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Bailiffs: 10th percentile $15.45, 25th percentile $21.02, 75th percentile $35.88, 90th percentile $46.53. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Bailiffs in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Bailiffs jobs: New York 3,830; Ohio 1,640; Illinois 960; Florida 940; Massachusetts 930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Bailiffs (areas with at least 100 jobs): Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $164,040; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $100,570; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $83,360; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $79,570; Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $74,030; Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $73,660; Rochester, NY $72,450; Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $71,230. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Bailiffs jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,730 (median $83,360); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 800 (median $37,770); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 550 (median $79,570); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 500 (median $50,660); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 460 (median $47,600); Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 390 (median $59,450). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Correctional Officers and Bailiffs" covers Bailiffs together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 33-3011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Bailiff, Court Bailiff, Court Constable, Court Deputy, Court Officer, Court Security Officer, Deputy Bailiff, Deputy Court Services Sheriff. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Bailiffs. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Bailiffs. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of correctional officers and bailiffs in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 64%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 17,310 people were employed as Bailiffs in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Bailiffs: 5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Bailiffs: Demand change - share decreases as caseloads continue to decline and courts consolidate. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the 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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.