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Correctional officer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$58,940median pay per year, or $28.34 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $42,760lowest 10% earn less
  2. $48,64025th percentile
  3. $58,940median
  4. $75,85075th percentile
  5. $93,220top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median pay for correctional officers was $58,940 a year[1]. Employment is projected to decline from 2025 to 2035, but openings are still expected every year[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-7.4%[2]
Openings per year
28,400[3]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do correctional officers make?

The median pay for correctional officers and jailers was $58,940 a year, or $28.34 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $63,630 a year, or $30.59 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[5].

Pay spreads out quite a bit across the group:

Level Annual Hourly
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][8] $42,760 $20.56
Lowest-paid 25% earned less than[4][8] $48,640 $23.38
Median[1] $58,940 $28.34
Highest-paid 25% earned more than[4][8] $75,850 $36.47
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[4][8] $93,220 $44.82

A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9]. These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median pay at $96,370 a year, followed by New Jersey at $94,770 and Massachusetts at $86,310[11]. Mississippi had the lowest median among the 49 states with published data, at $38,720[11].

Texas had the most jobs at 44,700, then California at 37,860 and New York at 27,770[12]. Texas had a median of $52,670[11].

Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA led on pay with a median of $132,670, followed by Salinas, CA at $109,620[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 14,730, with a median of $93,220[14].

Show median pay in 49 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[11]$96,37037,860
New Jersey$94,7707,570
Massachusetts$86,3106,360
Oregon$83,6903,650
Washington$79,4606,800
Illinois$79,19012,190
New York$76,82027,770
Nevada$76,4903,240
Wisconsin$73,4707,360
Alaska$71,360850
Hawaii$69,5701,310
Utah$67,2902,050
Minnesota$66,0405,350
Delaware$65,8801,730
Connecticut$64,7503,780
Maryland$64,2506,060
Michigan$64,0208,220
Pennsylvania$63,46015,560
Nebraska$63,3803,250
Colorado$62,1407,290
New Hampshire$61,360680
Ohio$59,37012,610
Kansas$56,1203,380
Arizona$54,97014,230
Wyoming$54,780920
Vermont$53,810450
Idaho$53,5802,370
Iowa$53,0403,440
South Dakota$53,0401,490
West Virginia$52,8902,980
Maine$52,7301,090
Texas$52,67044,700
North Dakota$52,4601,290
Tennessee$50,9406,990
North Carolina$50,55011,900
Virginia$50,14011,270
Florida$49,71024,280
Montana$49,1801,430
Indiana$48,3408,060
New Mexico$47,9402,740
South Carolina$47,8904,870
Georgia$47,52010,640
Alabama$46,6604,970
Oklahoma$45,6903,730
Missouri$42,6206,670
Kentucky$42,3106,770
Arkansas$40,3304,460
Louisiana$39,8507,960
Mississippi$38,7204,040

How to become a correctional officer

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers correctional officers together with bailiffs and other related occupations, so it describes a wider group[15].

1) Finish high school or earn an equivalent diploma[6][16]. 2) Check the age rules. Qualifications vary by state and agency, and many agencies set a minimum age that is usually between 18 and 21[17]. 3) Complete training at an academy, which varies by state and covers subjects such as self-defense, institutional policies and security procedures[18][19]. 4) Officers may shadow experienced officers after graduating from the academy[20]. 5) Check whether your state requires certification, since some do[21].

Federal prisons set a higher bar. The Federal Bureau of Prisons expects entry-level officers to hold a bachelor's degree, or else to have spent several years in work that involves counseling, assistance or supervision[22].

In an O*NET survey of 25 workers, 92% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required and 8% said an associate's degree or other 2-year degree[23]. This is a small survey, so treat it as a rough guide.

Officers can move up to supervisory roles such as sergeant, lieutenant or captain, or into specialized units[24]. The facts here do not say how long it takes to qualify, because training varies by state[19].

What correctional officers do

O*NET describes the job as guarding inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions under set rules and procedures[25]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as detention officer, deputy jailer and booking officer[27].

Where they work

These details come from the wider BLS profile of correctional officers and bailiffs[15]. State government was the largest employer, at 52%[28].

Officers may work indoors and outdoors, for example patrolling the facility and supervising outdoor recreation for inmates[29]. They may need to stand for long periods and stay alert through the whole shift[30]. Jail and prison security runs around the clock, so officers work shifts that cover nights, weekends and holidays, and they may be required to work overtime[31].

The setting can be stressful and dangerous. Confrontations with inmates can cause injuries, and BLS notes that injury and illness rates in this occupation are among the highest of any job[32]. Officers may wear safety gear such as gloves and helmets[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of correctional officers and jailers to decline 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 397,800 to 368,200 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[33].

A shrinking job count does not mean no openings. BLS expects about 28,400 openings a year on average, which include spots freed up when people retire or switch to another type of work[3]. Each year, 2.8% of workers leave the labor force and 5.4% move to a different occupation[34].

The projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The 380,500 figure from the wage survey counts only wage and salary jobs[35].

Is it a good fit?

On pay, the median is above the all-occupations median[1][5]. On entry, the typical requirement is a high school diploma with academy and on-the-job training[6][18]. Federal prisons ask for more[22]. Pay depends a lot on location, from $38,720 in Mississippi to $96,370 in California at the state median[11]. Total employment is projected to shrink, though openings continue[2][3]. The work involves round-the-clock shifts and a high rate of injuries and illnesses[32][31]. People who want an entry route that typically starts with a high school diploma, and who are comfortable with shift work and risk, may find the facts line up with what they want.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a correctional officer make an hour?
The median was $28.34 an hour[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $20.56 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $44.82[1][8].
What education do you need to be a correctional officer?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6]. Federal prisons expect a bachelor's degree, or else several years in work that involves counseling, assistance or supervision[22].
Is correctional officer a growing job?
No. Employment is projected to decline 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all occupations[2][33]. About 28,400 openings a year are still expected[3].
What is the highest paying state for correctional officers?
California, with a median of $96,370 a year, followed by New Jersey at $94,770[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in the US was $58,940 per year and $28.34 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Correctional Officers and Jailers is projected to decline 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 397,800 to 368,200 jobs (a change of -29,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: about 28,400 openings for Correctional Officers and Jailers 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
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Correctional Officers and Jailers: 10th percentile $42,760, 25th percentile $48,640, 75th percentile $75,850, 90th percentile $93,220. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Correctional Officers and Jailers: 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 Correctional Officers and Jailers was $63,630 per year and $30.59 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Correctional Officers and Jailers: 10th percentile $20.56, 25th percentile $23.38, 75th percentile $36.47, 90th percentile $44.82. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  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 Correctional Officers and Jailers 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 Correctional Officers and Jailers jobs: Texas 44,700; California 37,860; New York 27,770; Florida 24,280; Pennsylvania 15,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $132,670; Salinas, CA $109,620; Bakersfield-Delano, CA $107,220; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $107,220; Stockton-Lodi, CA $107,220; Vineland, NJ $106,570; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $99,880; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $94,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Correctional Officers and Jailers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 14,730 (median $93,220); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 8,920 (median $57,280); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 8,650 (median $53,810); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 6,070 (median $78,770); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 5,570 (median $67,200); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 5,170 (median $58,930). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Correctional Officers and Bailiffs" covers Correctional Officers and Jailers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 33-3012.00 survey of workers (25 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 92%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Correctional Officers and Jailers. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Correctional Officers and Jailers. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 33-3012.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Booking Officer, Community Services Officer (CSO), Correctional Officer, Corrections Officer (CO), Deputy Jailer, Detention Deputy, Detention Officer, Jail Officer. O*NET OnLine
  28. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of correctional officers and bailiffs in 2025: State government, excluding education and hospitals 52%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. 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 Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Correctional Officers and Jailers: 2.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 380,500 people were employed as Correctional Officers and Jailers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  36. 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.