The median pay for Bailiffs is $56,600 a year ($27.21/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 1.9% through 2035, with about 1,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 33-3011
- Protective Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Bailiff in four numbers
- Median pay
- $56,600a year, or $27.21/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $32KTop 10% $97K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -1.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−1.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −1.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,60018,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202518K
- Projected 203517.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 18K Projected 2035 17.7K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school5.9%
- High school39.9%
- Certificate20.8%
- Associate's33.4%
Highest education held by bailiffs Segment Value Less than high school 5.9% High school 39.9% Certificate 20.8% Associate's 33.4%
Also advertised as: Bailiff, Court Bailiff, Court Constable, Court Deputy, Court Officer, Court Security Officer.
Pay
How much do Bailiffs make?
Every bailiff in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$56,600
Middle half earn $43,720 to $74,630
- 10th
- $32,140
- 25th
- $43,720
- 75th
- $74,630
- 90th
- $96,770
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $32,140 |
| 25th | $43,720 |
| Median | $56,600 |
| 75th | $74,630 |
| 90th | $96,770 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $56,600
- Median hourly wage
- $27.21/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $61,660
- People employed
- 17,310
Versus all US occupations
At $56,600, Bailiffs earn 11% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,620 a year.
Versus protective service occupations
Inside the Protective Service group, where the middle occupation pays $74,060, this is 24% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $96,770 or more while the bottom 10% earn $32,140, a gap of 3.0×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 28% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Connecticut pays the most at $111,890, and still leads at $107,992 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Bailiffs the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Connecticut | $111,890 | $107,992 | 40 |
| 2Alaska | $90,600 | $88,512 | 60 |
| 3Massachusetts | $86,730 | $82,009 | 930 |
| 4Washington | $78,290 | $73,159 | 180 |
| 5New York | $77,540 | $71,849 | 3,830 |
| 6Nebraska | $76,090 | $84,448 | 50 |
| 7Nevada | $71,230 | $71,245 | 210 |
| 8Kansas | $69,390 | $77,042 | 450 |
| 9Colorado | $63,320 | $61,445 | 70 |
| 10Maine | $62,800 | $64,709 | 110 |
Job outlook
Is Bailiff a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -1.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bailiffs | −1.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Bailiffs to change -1.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 300 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,600 openings are projected each year, 8.9% of the 18,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Changes to criminal laws have a large effect on how many people are arrested and incarcerated each year. Faced with high costs for keeping people in prison, many state governments have moved toward laws requiring shorter prison terms and alternatives to prison. Community-based programs that are designed to rehabilitate prisoners and limit their risk of repeated offenses also may reduce prisoner counts.
Demand for bailiffs is expected to stem from the need to maintain security in courtrooms during legal proceedings. However, demand for bailiffs may be limited by state and local budget constraints.
Getting in
How to become a Bailiff
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically attend a training academy.
Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies set a minimum age for correctional officers that is usually between 18 and 21. Federal agencies also may require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or work experience and may have a maximum age for entry.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as bailiffs.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)39.9%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree33.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate20.8%
- Less than a High School Diploma5.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 39.9% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 33.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 20.8% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Bailiff do?
Maintain order in courts of law.
Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs, also known as marshals or court officers, are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
Day-to-day tasks
- Provide assistance to the public, such as directions to court offices.
- Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.
- Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
- Announce entrance of judge.
- Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
- Check courtroom for security and cleanliness and assure availability of sundry supplies, such as notepads, for use by judge, jurors, and attorneys.
- Arrest persons in court when arrest warrants have been issued.
- Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most correctional officers and bailiffs work full time. Because jail and prison security must be provided around the clock, correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Correctional officers may be required to work overtime. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where bailiffs work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals64%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals35%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 64% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 35% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking3.4
- Monitoring3.4
- Active Listening3.3
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Active Learning2.8
- Writing2.3
- Learning Strategies2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Persuasion2.9
- Service Orientation2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Negotiation2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Negotiation | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Bailiff?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Bailiff |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic4.8
- Conventional4.5
- Enterprising4.0
- Social3.3
- Investigative2.2
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Bailiff
O*NET related occupations
- Protective Service
- Protective Service
- Protective Service
First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives
$106,040median a year
Most earn $63K to $165K
+3.3%High school - Protective Service
- Protective Service
First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers
$77,970median a year
Most earn $52K to $128K
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$66,270median a year
Most earn $47K to $108K
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More protective service careers
Median annual pay, with bailiffs highlighted
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$93,790
- Intelligence Analyst$93,790
- Police Officer$76,210
- Custom and Border Protection Officer$76,210
- Firefighter$59,280
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$58,940
- Bailiff$56,600
- Private Detective and Investigator$51,220
- Security Guard$38,020
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Detective and Criminal Investigator | $93,790 |
| Intelligence Analyst | $93,790 |
| Police Officer | $76,210 |
| Custom and Border Protection Officer | $76,210 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 |
| Correctional Officer and Jailer | $58,940 |
| Bailiff | $56,600 |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 |
| Security Guard | $38,020 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Bailiff appears on
Questions
Bailiff: frequently asked questions
How much do Bailiffs make?
Bailiffs earn a median of $56,600 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 11% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $27.21/hr. The middle half earn between $43,720 and $74,630. The top 10% earn $96,770 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Bailiff?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Bailiffs. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 39.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Bailiff a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 1.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 300 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Bailiff do?
Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. A core O*NET task: provide assistance to the public, such as directions to court offices. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Bailiffs the most?
The highest state medians for Bailiffs are Connecticut ($111,890), Alaska ($90,600), Massachusetts ($86,730) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Bailiff?
O*NET scores Bailiffs highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.