Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists earn a median of $66,270 per year ($31.86/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 3.0% through 2035, with about 7,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 21-1092
- Community and Social Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $66,270a year, or $31.86/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $108K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.0%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 7,90093,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202593.7K
- Projected 203596.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 93.7K Projected 2035 96.5K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school0.9%
- Certificate1.7%
- Some college1.7%
- Associate's5.3%
- Bachelor's88%
- Master's2.4%
Highest education held by probation officers and correctional treatment specialists Segment Value High school 0.9% Certificate 1.7% Some college 1.7% Associate's 5.3% Bachelor's 88% Master's 2.4%
Also advertised as: Adult Probation Officer, Correctional Counselor, Deputy Probation Officer (DPO), Juvenile Probation Officer, Parole Agent, Parole Officer (PO).
Pay
How much do Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists make?
Every probation officer and correctional treatment specialist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$66,270
Middle half earn $54,250 to $84,780
- 10th
- $46,840
- 25th
- $54,250
- 75th
- $84,780
- 90th
- $107,790
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,840 |
| 25th | $54,250 |
| Median | $66,270 |
| 75th | $84,780 |
| 90th | $107,790 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $66,270
- Median hourly wage
- $31.86/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $73,130
- People employed
- 89,390
Versus all US occupations
At $66,270, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists earn 30% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,290 a year.
Versus community and social service occupations
Inside the Community and Social Service group, where the middle occupation pays $60,300, this is 10% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $107,790 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,840, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 41% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($103,640), but once local prices are taken into account Connecticut leads at $93,958 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $103,640 | $93,605 | 13,900 |
| 2Connecticut | $97,350 | $93,958 | 1,200 |
| 3Massachusetts | $94,590 | $89,441 | 1,200 |
| 4Oregon | $84,920 | $82,159 | 1,260 |
| 5Vermont | $83,820 | $85,567 | 190 |
| 6Washington | $82,750 | $77,327 | 2,150 |
| 7Delaware | $81,880 | $82,038 | 380 |
| 8Minnesota | $81,580 | $82,721 | 2,040 |
| 9New York | $80,350 | $74,453 | 4,360 |
| 10New Jersey | $80,280 | $73,783 | 2,890 |
Job outlook
Is Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | +3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists to change 3.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 7,900 openings are projected each year, 8.4% of the 93,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
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.
Employment growth depends primarily on the amount of state and local government funding for corrections, especially the amount allocated to probation and parole systems.
Demand for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists could be strong as governments continue to recognize the advantages of community corrections over incarceration in certain situations. Parole officers will continue to be needed to supervise individuals who will be released from prison in the future.
Getting in
How to become a Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, candidates may be required to pass competency exams, drug testing, and a criminal background check.
A valid driver’s license may be required, and some agencies require applicants to be at least 21 years old.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 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)
Medium 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 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists.
- Bachelor's Degree88%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5.3%
- Master's Degree2.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate1.7%
- Some College Courses1.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 88% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 5.3% |
| Master's Degree | 2.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 1.7% |
| Some College Courses | 1.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist do?
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
Day-to-day tasks
- Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
- Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
- Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
- Write reports describing offenders' progress.
- Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
- Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
- Develop and prepare packets containing information about social service agencies, assistance organizations, and programs that might be useful for inmates or offenders.
- Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work full time. Some workers may be on call and must respond to any issues with probationers, parolees, or law enforcement 24 hours a day.
Meeting with clients often requires travel and working during nonstandard hours.
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 dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
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 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- State government, excluding education and hospitals51%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals46%
- Healthcare and social assistance2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 51% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 46% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Writing3.8
- Monitoring3.8
- Active Learning3.4
- Learning Strategies2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Time Management3.4
- Coordination3.1
- Persuasion3.1
- Negotiation3.1
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Negotiation | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query 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
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Internet browser software
- Map creation software
- Project management software
- Voice recognition 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 Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Social5.6
- Conventional4.2
- Enterprising3.9
- Investigative3.4
- Realistic2.4
- Artistic2.1
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 Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist
O*NET related occupations
- Protective Service
- Community and Social Service
- Protective Service
First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers
$77,970median a year
Most earn $52K to $128K
−2.5%High school - Community and Social Service
- Community and Social Service
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
$60,280median a year
Most earn $40K to $104K
+10.3%Master's - Community and Social Service
More community and social service careers
Median annual pay, with probation officers and correctional treatment specialists highlighted
- Healthcare Social Worker$67,880
- Geriatric Care Manager$67,880
- Marriage and Family Therapist$66,940
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist$66,270
- Health Education Specialist$64,070
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$60,280
- Community Health Worker$51,850
- Rehabilitation Counselor$46,850
- Social and Human Service Assistant$45,930
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Social Worker | $67,880 |
| Geriatric Care Manager | $67,880 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $66,270 |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,070 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,280 |
| Community Health Worker | $51,850 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,850 |
| Social and Human Service Assistant | $45,930 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within probation officer and correctional treatment specialist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist appears on
Questions
Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist: frequently asked questions
How much do Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists make?
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists earn a median of $66,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $31.86/hr. The middle half earn between $54,250 and $84,780. The top 10% earn $107,790 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. 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, 88.0% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.0% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 7,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist do?
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. A core O*NET task: gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists the most?
The highest state medians for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists are California ($103,640), Connecticut ($97,350), Massachusetts ($94,590) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Connecticut moves to the top at $93,958.
What personality type suits a Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist?
O*NET scores Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists highest on the Social, Conventional and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ESFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.