Security Guards vs. Correctional Officers and Jailers: Who Earns More?
Correctional Officers and Jailerss out-earn Security Guardss by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Security Guardss land at $38,020 and Correctional Officers and Jailerss at $58,940. The education gap is real: security guard programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while correctional officers and jailer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Security Guardss is District of Columbia ($64,210); for Correctional Officers and Jailerss it's California ($96,370).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Security Guards median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Security Guardss or Correctional Officers and Jailerss?
Correctional Officers and Jailerss earn more nationally. The median is $38,020 for Security Guardss versus $58,940 for Correctional Officers and Jailerss, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Security Guards or Correctional Officers and Jailers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Security Guards or Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Security Guards typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Correctional Officers and Jailers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Security Guardss get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Security Guardss at $64,210/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Security Guards vs. Correctional Officers and Jailers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Security Guardss earn $47,480 vs. $71,360 for Correctional Officers and Jailerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.