SOC 333012

Correctional Officers and Jailers

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.

National Median

$57,970

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$57,970

Entry Level (10th pct)

$41,750

Experienced (90th pct)

$93,000

Total Employed

365,380

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$41,750 - $47,520
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$47,520 - $75,330
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$75,330 - $93,000

Highest Paying Locations for Correctional Officers and Jailers

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$131,210

+126.3% vs national

Salinas, CA

$106,490

+83.7% vs national

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

$104,090

+79.6% vs national

Bakersfield-Delano, CA

$104,090

+79.6% vs national

El Centro, CA

$104,090

+79.6% vs national

Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$131,210	1,050
Salinas, CA	$106,490	1,490
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$104,090	700
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$104,090	3,290
El Centro, CA	$104,090	1,320
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$104,090	1,290
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$100,540	1,620
Vineland, NJ	$99,480	1,160
Merced, CA	$98,550	240
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$97,490	970
California	$95,840	37,760
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$93,690	4,920
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$92,190	15,680
Fresno, CA	$92,010	2,640
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$91,280	820
Greeley, CO	$90,220	280
New Jersey	$90,150	7,840
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$89,440	1,180
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$87,590	1,370
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$86,930	1,970
Worcester, MA	$86,060	420
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$85,400	4,810
Eau Claire, WI	$85,280	350
Bellingham, WA	$83,860	130
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$83,690	1,220
Oregon	$83,120	3,910
Salem, OR	$82,920	780
Bend, OR	$82,380	190
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$81,910	120
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$81,850	4,450
Alexandria, LA	$81,430	400
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$80,430	120
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$80,280	2,090
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$79,710	5,920
Reno, NV	$79,550	140
Visalia, CA	$79,370	240
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$79,080	850
Missoula, MT	$78,850	120
Massachusetts	$78,830	5,810
Illinois	$78,750	12,210
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$78,400	130
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$78,100	2,350
Yakima, WA	$78,020	210
Naples-Marco Island, FL	$77,850	300
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$77,170	270
Nevada	$76,800	3,010
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$76,800	2,060
Madison, WI	$76,560	680
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$76,400	590
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$76,400	540

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Correctional Officers and Jailers?

The national median annual salary for Correctional Officers and Jailers is $57,970, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Correctional Officers and Jailerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Correctional Officers and Jailerss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $131,210.

How much can an experienced Correctional Officers and Jailers make?

Top-earning Correctional Officers and Jailerss (90th percentile) make $93,000 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.