Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC make a median of $49,900 a year, or about $23.99 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $49,426 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 52.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
About correctional officers and jailers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level correctional officers and jailers (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $78K or more - a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Correctional Officers and Jailers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $96K | +65% | 37,760 |
| New Jersey | $90K | +56% | 7,840 |
| Oregon | $83K | +43% | 3,910 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +36% | 5,810 |
| Illinois | $79K | +36% | 12,210 |
| Nevada | $77K | +32% | 3,010 |
| Washington | $76K | +32% | 6,470 |
| New York | $75K | +30% | 29,710 |
| Wisconsin | $74K | +28% | 6,290 |
| Alaska | $71K | +23% | 810 |
| Hawaii | $66K | +14% | 1,260 |
| Michigan | $65K | +13% | 8,200 |
| Minnesota | $65K | +12% | 3,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $64K | +10% | 15,260 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +8% | 3,710 |
Track correctional officers and jailers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do correctional officers and jailers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $49,900 a year - that works out to about $23.99 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,670, and experienced correctional officers and jailers can clear $78,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,381/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a correctional officers and jailers salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median correctional officers and jailers salary is worth about $49,426 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do correctional officers and jailers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.