Home / Compare / Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers vs. Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary comparison Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers vs. Correctional Officers and Jailers: Salary Comparison (2026) Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn a median salary of $76,290/year, while Correctional Officers and Jailerss earn $57,970/year - a difference of $18,320. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Median salary
$76,290
$57,970
Hourly rate
$36.68/hr
$27.87/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,640
$41,750
Senior level (90th %)
$115,280
$93,000
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
666,990
365,380
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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