Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Wisconsin make a median of $73,470 a year, or about $35.32 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $92K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $77,886 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,202/month, or 24.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Wisconsin?
About correctional officers and jailers
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What this looks like in Wisconsin
Wisconsin sits well above the national pay line for correctional officers and jailers, local pay runs about 25% higher than the U.S. median of $59K. Rent runs $1,202/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wisconsin
Entry-level correctional officers and jailers (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $92K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary by metro in Wisconsin
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah | $79K | +7% | N/A |
| Madison | $76K | +4% | 610 |
| Green Bay | $76K | +4% | 420 |
| Eau Claire | $75K | +3% | 400 |
| Appleton | $66K | -11% | 120 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $64K | -13% | 1,020 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | $60K | -19% | 80 |
| Janesville-Beloit | $57K | -22% | 80 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a correctional officers and jailer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 25.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for correctional officers and jailers in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new correctional officers and jailers typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,392/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 35% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is correctional officers and jailer a high-paying job in Wisconsin?
Local pay is 25% above the national median — $73K here vs. $59K nationally.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for correctional officers and jailers?
Wisconsin pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $59K — that’s +25%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do correctional officers and jailers make in Wisconsin?
The median is $73,470 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,540, and experienced correctional officers and jailers can clear $92,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,769/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 25.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a correctional officers and jailers salary go in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median correctional officers and jailers salary is worth about $77,886 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.