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.
Correctional Officer and Jailer Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Correctional Officers and Jailers earn a median of $58,940 per year ($28.34/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 7.8% through 2034, with about 30,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 33-3012Protective ServiceLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $58,940
- Projected growth
- -7.8%
- Openings a year
- 30,100
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Booking Officer, Community Services Officer (CSO), Correctional Officer, Corrections Officer (CO), Deputy Jailer, Detention Deputy.
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make?
10th percentile$42,760
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$48,640
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$58,940
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$75,850
Upper quartile
90th percentile$93,220
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $58,940 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $28.34/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $63,630 |
| People employed | 380,500 |
Versus all US occupations
At $58,940, Correctional Officers and Jailers earn 16% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $7,960 a year.
Versus protective service occupations
The median is typical for the Protective Service group, where the middle occupation pays $59,110.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $93,220 or more while the bottom 10% earn $42,760, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 40% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($96,370), but once local prices are taken into account New Jersey leads at $87,101 in national-average dollars.
Which states pay Correctional Officers and Jailers the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $96,370 | $87,039 | 37,860 |
| New Jersey | $94,770 | $87,101 | 7,570 |
| Massachusetts | $86,310 | $81,612 | 6,360 |
| Oregon | $83,690 | $80,969 | 3,650 |
| Washington | $79,460 | $74,253 | 6,800 |
| Illinois | $79,190 | $79,223 | 12,190 |
| New York | $76,820 | $71,182 | 27,770 |
| Nevada | $76,490 | $76,506 | 3,240 |
| Wisconsin | $73,470 | $78,081 | 7,360 |
| Alaska | $71,360 | $69,715 | 850 |
Is Correctional Officer and Jailer a growing career?
Correctional Officers and Jailers-7.8%
All US occupations3.1%
-7.8% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Declining
BLS projects employment of Correctional Officers and Jailers to change -7.8% over 2024–2034, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.1%. That is 30,100 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 30,100 openings are projected each year, 7.8% of the 387,500 jobs that existed in 2024. 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 2024 to 2034, 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.
Although correctional officers will continue to be needed, 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. While keeping the public safe, community-based programs that are designed to rehabilitate prisoners and limit their risk of repeated offenses also may reduce prisoner counts.
Demand for bailiffs will stem from the need to maintain security in courtrooms during legal proceedings. However, employment growth for bailiffs may be limited by state and local budget constraints.
How to become a Correctional Officer and Jailer
There is no national correctional officer licence, and the state and federal paths are genuinely different jobs to get into. State and county officers are hired by an agency, trained at an academy, and in a number of states certified by the same commission that certifies police officers, sometimes by passing the same statewide certification exam. Federal officers are hired by the Bureau of Prisons through USAJOBS against federal GS qualification standards, with a bachelor's degree or qualifying experience and a federal law enforcement maximum entry age that state agencies do not impose.
The credential path, step by step
- Meet the agency's minimum qualifications
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Qualifications vary by state and agency, and many agencies set a minimum age that is usually between 18 and 21. Florida, for example, sets 18 for corrections and 19 for law enforcement, requires US citizenship, a high school diploma or GED, no felony conviction and no misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement, and no dishonorable discharge.
- Pass the background investigation and screening
Expect fingerprinting processed through the state criminal history repository and the FBI, a full background investigation including drug testing, and a physical examination. In Florida the employing agency, not the applicant, documents and verifies every one of these against the statutory minimum standards before certification is granted.
- Complete the training academy
Academy training varies by state and covers self-defense, institutional policies, regulations, operations and security procedures. Where a state runs a formal recruit programme, it is normally in person only: Florida's Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Programs are delivered at Commission-certified training schools and are not available online.
- Pass the state certification exam, where your state has one
This is the step people do not expect. In Florida every person seeking certification as a correctional officer must pass the State Officer Certification Examination, the same exam family used for law enforcement, administered on demand by Pearson VUE for a $100 fee. Candidates get three attempts; fail all three and you must re-enroll in and complete the whole Basic Recruit Training Program again.
- Or take the federal route through the Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires entry-level correctional officers to hold a bachelor's degree or several years of experience in a field providing counseling, assistance or supervision. Hiring runs through USAJOBS against federal grade standards rather than through a state academy, and federal law enforcement positions carry a maximum entry age.
- Complete on-the-job training after the academy
Correctional officers and bailiffs may shadow experienced officers after graduating from a training academy.
Exams you have to pass
State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE)
Florida's example of a statewide certification exam that correctional officers must pass, not only police officers. It is taken after completing a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program (or after an approved equivalency-of-training exemption), is administered on demand at authorised Pearson VUE sites, costs $100, and is limited to three attempts under s. 943.1397, Florida Statutes. Most states do not use a single statewide exam like this, so check whether yours does before assuming the academy is the last hurdle.
Administered by Pearson VUE for the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
- How long the training takes
An academy of a few weeks to a few months, then on-the-job training alongside experienced officers
Academy length is set by each state and agency. Federal officers are hired against GS qualification standards rather than a state academy, so the federal timeline is driven by the USAJOBS announcement cycle and the background investigation rather than by classroom hours.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
There is no national licence. Some states require correctional officers to complete state certification, and BLS directs candidates to their state's public safety or corrections agency to find out. What differs state to state is substantial: whether certification exists at all, whether it is granted by the same commission that certifies police officers, whether there is a statewide certification exam, the minimum age (usually between 18 and 21), and whether the employing agency can hire you on a temporary authorisation before you are certified, as Florida allows under s. 943.131(1). The federal path differs more sharply still: a bachelor's degree or qualifying counseling, assistance or supervision experience, and a federal law enforcement maximum entry age, with the Department of Justice able under Policy Statement 1200.07 to make exceptions up to the day preceding an applicant's 40th birthday.
Who governs the credential
- Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) — An example of a state commission that certifies correctional officers directly. It certifies four disciplines (law enforcement, corrections, correctional probation and auxiliary law enforcement), sets the minimum qualifications in s. 943.13 Florida Statutes, approves the Basic Recruit Training Programs and the schools that deliver them, owns the State Officer Certification Examination, and reviews the employing agency's file before certification is issued. Most states have an equivalent body, but its name, powers and exam differ.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) — Hires and trains federal correctional officers in the GL-0007 series. Vacancies are announced through USAJOBS. Federal correctional officer positions are law enforcement officer positions, which is what brings the maximum entry age and the law enforcement retirement provisions with them; a temporary waiver raising the ceiling for non-preference-eligible applicants ran from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 and has expired.
Credential detail for correctional officer and jailers is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Correctional Officers and Bailiffs · checked August 23, 2026
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement, CJSTC — How to Become a Certified Officer in Florida · checked August 23, 2026
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement — State Officer Certification Examination · checked August 23, 2026
- Federal Bureau of Prisons — Temporary Increase to Maximum Entry Age (citing DOJ Policy Statement 1200.07) · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
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.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Little or no preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as correctional officers and jailers.
- High School Diploma92.4%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)7.6%
What does a Correctional Officer and Jailer do?
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
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
- Participate in required job training.
- Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
- Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
- Provide to supervisors oral and written reports of the quality and quantity of work performed by inmates, inmate disturbances and rule violations, and unusual occurrences.
- Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
- Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.
- Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
- Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
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.
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
- Dealing with customers or the public is very important
Pressure and stakes
- Meeting strict deadlines at least weekly
- Handling conflict situations at least monthly
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where correctional officers and jailers work
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 60% |
|---|---|
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 32% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Monitoring4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Learning Strategies3.0/5
Transferable skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Coordination3.5/5
- Persuasion3.4/5
- Negotiation3.3/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
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
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base management system software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Correctional Officer and Jailer?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary5.3
Investigative1.7
Artistic1.1
Socialprimary3.9
Enterprising3.2
Conventionalprimary4.8
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.
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.
Correctional Officer and Jailer: frequently asked questions
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make?
Correctional Officers and Jailers earn a median of $58,940 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 16% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $28.34/hr. The middle half earn between $48,640 and $75,850. The top 10% earn $93,220 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Correctional Officer and Jailer?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Correctional Officers and Jailers. 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, 92.4% hold high school diploma.
Is Correctional Officer and Jailer a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 7.8% over 2024–2034, a loss of 30,100 jobs (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 30,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Correctional Officer and Jailer 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: participate in required job training. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Document management software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Correctional Officers and Jailers the most?
The highest state medians for Correctional Officers and Jailers are California ($96,370), New Jersey ($94,770), Massachusetts ($86,310) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, New Jersey moves to the top at $87,101.
What personality type suits a Correctional Officer and Jailer?
O*NET scores Correctional Officers and Jailers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Social 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 ISFJ, ESTJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Correctional Officer and Jailer?
An academy of a few weeks to a few months, then on-the-job training alongside experienced officers. Academy length is set by each state and agency. Federal officers are hired against GS qualification standards rather than a state academy, so the federal timeline is driven by the USAJOBS announcement cycle and the background investigation rather than by classroom hours.
Do you need a license to work as a Correctional Officer and Jailer?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. There is no national licence. Some states require correctional officers to complete state certification, and BLS directs candidates to their state's public safety or corrections agency to find out. What differs state to state is substantial: whether certification exists at all, whether it is granted by the same commission that certifies police officers, whether there is a statewide certification exam, the minimum age (usually between 18 and 21), and whether the employing agency can hire you on a temporary authorisation before you are certified, as Florida allows under s. 943.131(1). The federal path differs more sharply still: a bachelor's degree or qualifying counseling, assistance or supervision experience, and a federal law enforcement maximum entry age, with the Department of Justice able under Policy Statement 1200.07 to make exceptions up to the day preceding an applicant's 40th birthday.
What exams do you have to pass to become a Correctional Officer and Jailer?
The SOCE (State Officer Certification Examination). Florida's example of a statewide certification exam that correctional officers must pass, not only police officers. It is taken after completing a Commission-approved Basic Recruit Training Program (or after an approved equivalency-of-training exemption), is administered on demand at authorised Pearson VUE sites, costs $100, and is limited to three attempts under s. 943.1397, Florida Statutes. Most states do not use a single statewide exam like this, so check whether yours does before assuming the academy is the last hurdle.