Correctional Officer Salary in 2026
Monitor inmates in correctional facilities to maintain order and security.
Median Salary
$58,940
$4,912/mo
Entry Level
$43,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$79,800
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012) at a national median of $58,940 per year (mean $63,630), or $28.34 per hour, with 380,500 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Correctional Officer Overview
Monitor inmates in correctional facilities to maintain order and security.
Education
High School/Associate's
Experience
0-1 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
381K
5-Year Growth
+3%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$28.34/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,912
Local evidence pages
High-intent Correctional Officer salary checks
These pages answer location-specific searches where a national median is not enough. Use them when the question is about an exact city posting, local credential path, or city-specific salary range.
Correctional Officer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Correctional Officer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Correctional Officer Salary
$67,000
$5,583/month · $2,577/biweekly · $32.21/hr
Correctional Officer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Correctional Officer field.
Entry-level Correctional Officers earn around $43,000, while the top 10% earn $87,800 or more.
Top Paying States for Correctional Officers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $70,000 | +$11,060 |
| New York | $68,000 | +$9,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,000 | +$60 |
| Texas | $58,000 | $-940 |
| Florida | $58,000 | $-940 |
Top Paying Cities for Correctional Officers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $70,000 | +$11,060 |
| Los Angeles | $66,000 | +$7,060 |
| Miami | $60,000 | +$1,060 |
| Philadelphia | $60,000 | +$1,060 |
| Houston | $58,000 | $-940 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Correctional Officer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Correctional Officer from entry level to expert.
$43,000
0-2 years
$61,000
3-7 years
$79,800
8-14 years
$95,800
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Correctional Officer Salary FAQ
How much does a Correctional Officer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Correctional Officer in the United States is $58,940 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012); the mean is $63,630. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $43,000, senior professionals around $79,800, and top earners at $95,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Correctional Officer?
A Correctional Officer typically requires a High School/Associate's with 0-1 years of experience. Key skills include Security, Crisis Management, Report Writing. Relevant certifications such as State Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Correctional Officers?
The job market for Correctional Officers is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 381K Correctional Officer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 3%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Correctional Officers the most?
The highest-paying states for Correctional Officers include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $70,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Correctional Officer salary?
To increase your Correctional Officer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Security and Crisis Management. Pursue certifications such as State Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-1 years of experience, you can progress from $43,000 to $79,800 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Correctional Officer Salary
How we calculate Correctional Officer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $58,940, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Correctional Officers and Jailers; BLS mean $63,630; BLS hourly median $28.34.
- Entry-level ($43,000) and senior-level ($79,800) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 380,500 Correctional Officers and Jailers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 3% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: High School/Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $58,940; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Correctional Officer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Correctional Officer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Correctional Officer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Security, Crisis Management, Report Writing), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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