Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Salary
The median pay for a probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in West Virginia is $53,120/year ($25.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $59,665 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,008/month, or 28.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across West Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $53K get you in West Virginia?
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in West Virginia runs about 20% below the U.S. median of $66K. Rent runs $1,008/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, West Virginia
Entry-level probation officers and correctional treatment specialists (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $73K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists salary by metro in West Virginia
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $56K | +5% | 220 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $54K | +2% | 110 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | $53K | +1% | 40 |
| Beckley | $52K | -2% | 50 |
| Wheeling | $47K | -11% | 60 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a probation officers and correctional treatment specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $53K, rent takes 28.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new probation officers and correctional treatment specialists typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,258/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is probation officers and correctional treatment specialist a high-paying job in West Virginia?
Local pay runs 20% below the national median — $53K here vs. $66K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists?
West Virginia pays $53K median vs. the U.S. average of $66K — that’s -20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do probation officers and correctional treatment specialists make in West Virginia?
The median is $53,120 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,640, and experienced probation officers and correctional treatment specialists can clear $73,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,572/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 28.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a probation officers and correctional treatment specialists salary go in West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (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 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists salary is worth about $59,665 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do probation officers and correctional treatment specialists 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.