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Correctional officer salary in Illinois

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Published by Humblebee.

$79,190median pay per year in Illinois, or $38.07 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $50,520lowest 10% earn less
  2. $65,90025th percentile
  3. $79,190median
  4. $88,79075th percentile
  5. $102,770top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[2]US median for this job, $58,940[3]

The median pay for correctional officers in Illinois was $79,190 a year in May 2025[1]. That was $20,250 higher than the US median[6].

Jobs in IL
12,190[4]
Rank by median pay
6 of 49[5]
Compared with US median
+34.4%[6]

How much do correctional officers make in Illinois?

Half of the correctional officers in Illinois earned more than $79,190 a year[1], and half earned less[1]. The median works out to $38.07 an hour[1]. The average was a little lower, at $78,080 a year[7]. Across the US, the median for this job was $58,940[3]. Illinois was $20,250 higher, or 34.4%[6]. It had the 6th highest median among the 49 states with a published figure[5].

The median for all jobs in Illinois was $51,960[8]. Correctional officers earned $27,230 more than that[9]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $50,520, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $102,770[2]. The middle half of workers fell between $65,900 and $88,790[2].

By metro area, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had the highest median, at $84,550 a year[10]. Peoria, IL was at $64,540[11], and St. Louis, MO-IL was at $50,980[11]. These figures count wage and salary workers, both full time and part time. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not part of regular production pay, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[12].

Illinois vs US pay

Pay for correctional officers in Illinois next to the national figures[1][3].

ILUS
Median per year$79,190[1]$58,940[3]
Median per hour$38.07[1]$28.34[3]
Lowest 10% earn less than$50,520[2]$42,760[13]
Top 10% earn more than$102,770[2]$93,220[13]
Jobs12,190[4]380,500[3]

Pay by metro area in Illinois

Metro areas in Illinois with the most jobs for correctional officers, and the median pay in each[11]. A metro area that crosses state lines is counted as a whole.

Metro areaMedian per yearJobs
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN[11]$84,5504,940
St. Louis, MO-IL$50,9801,620
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL$62,390460
Rockford, IL$56,650250
Peoria, IL$64,540220
Springfield, IL$60,590140
Champaign-Urbana, IL$55,840100
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL$41,17060

Pay in nearby states

Median pay for correctional officers in the states that border Illinois, highest first[14].

StateMedian per yearJobs
Wisconsin[14]$73,4707,360
Iowa$53,0403,440
Indiana$48,3408,060
Missouri$42,6206,670
Kentucky$42,3106,770

Median pay for correctional officers in every state

Job outlook and training

Across the US, jobs for correctional officers are projected to decline 7.4% from 2025 to 2035[15]. BLS does not publish this projection by state. The typical education for entry is: high school diploma or equivalent[16].

How to become one: steps, training and duties

Frequently asked questions

How much does a correctional officer make in Illinois?
The median was $79,190 a year, and the average was $78,080 a year[1][7]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $50,520, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $102,770[2].
How much does a correctional officer make an hour in Illinois?
The median was $38.07 an hour[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $24.29 an hour, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $49.41[2][17].
Which city in Illinois pays correctional officers the most?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had the highest median of the metro areas with a published figure, at $84,550 a year[10]. It had 4,940 jobs[11].
Is Illinois a good state for correctional officers?
On pay, Illinois had the 6th highest median among the 49 states with a published figure[5]. Its median of $79,190 was $20,250 above the US median[1][6].
What do you need to become a correctional officer in Illinois?
This is a US figure, not a state one. Across the US, the typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with no related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[16].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois was $79,190 per year and $38.07 per hour. Half of these workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois: 10th percentile $50,520, 25th percentile $65,900, 75th percentile $88,790, 90th percentile $102,770. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less, the 90th means 10% earned more. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in the US as a whole was $58,940 per year and $28.34 per hour, with about 380,500 jobs nationwide. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 12,190 people worked as Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: Illinois had the 6th highest median annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers out of the 49 states with a published median. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois ($79,190) was $20,250 (34.4%) higher than the US median ($58,940). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois was $78,080 per year and $37.54 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in Illinois was $51,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois was $27,230 higher than the median for all occupations in the state ($51,960). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: of the 9 metro areas in or partly in Illinois with a published median for Correctional Officers and Jailers, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had the highest median annual wage, $84,550. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Metro areas with the most jobs in this occupation, with median annual wage, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. 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
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Correctional Officers and Jailers in the US: 10th percentile $42,760, 25th percentile $48,640, 75th percentile $75,850, 90th percentile $93,220. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, median annual wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in states that border Illinois (highest first): Wisconsin $73,470; Iowa $53,040; Indiana $48,340; Missouri $42,620; Kentucky $42,310. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state): employment of Correctional Officers and Jailers is projected to decline 7.4% nationwide from 2025 to 2035, with about 28,400 openings a year on average. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%. BLS Employment Projections
  16. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state), 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
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois: 10th percentile $24.29, 25th percentile $31.68, 75th percentile $42.69, 90th percentile $49.41. BLS OEWS, May 2025

State figures cover only Illinois. Job outlook and entry requirements are national (US) figures: BLS does not publish them by state in our sources. Figures labelled “CareerFacts calculation” are simple differences between the BLS numbers shown.