Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in U.S.
Correctional Officers and Jailers in U.S. make a median of $57,970 a year, or about $27.87 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $58K get you in U.S.?
About correctional officers and jailers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level correctional officers and jailers (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K.Top earners bring in $93K or more - a $51K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do correctional officers and jailers make in U.S.?
The median is $57,970 a year - that works out to about $27.87 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,750, and experienced correctional officers and jailers can clear $93,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,051/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 34.9% 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 U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median correctional officers and jailers salary is worth about $57,970 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.