Probation Officer Salary in 2026
Monitor offenders on probation to ensure compliance with court-ordered conditions.
Median Salary
$66,270
$5,523/mo
Entry Level
$48,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$86,800
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (SOC 21-1092) at a national median of $66,270 per year (mean $73,130), or $31.86 per hour, with 89,390 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.
Probation Officer Overview
Monitor offenders on probation to ensure compliance with court-ordered conditions.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
89K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$31.86/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,523
Local evidence pages
High-intent Probation 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.
Probation Officer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Probation Officer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Probation Officer Salary
$74,000
$6,167/month · $2,846/biweekly · $35.58/hr
Probation Officer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Probation Officer field.
Entry-level Probation Officers earn around $48,200, while the top 10% earn $96,400 or more.
Top Paying States for Probation Officers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $78,000 | +$11,730 |
| New York | $76,000 | +$9,730 |
| Illinois | $69,000 | +$2,730 |
| Texas | $65,000 | $-1,270 |
| Florida | $65,000 | $-1,270 |
Top Paying Cities for Probation Officers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $78,000 | +$11,730 |
| Los Angeles | $74,000 | +$7,730 |
| Chicago | $70,000 | +$3,730 |
| Miami | $68,000 | +$1,730 |
| Houston | $66,000 | $-270 |
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
Probation Officer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Probation Officer from entry level to expert.
$48,200
0-2 years
$68,000
3-7 years
$86,800
8-14 years
$106,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Probation Officer Salary FAQ
How much does a Probation Officer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Probation Officer in the United States is $66,270 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (SOC 21-1092); the mean is $73,130. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $48,200, senior professionals around $86,800, and top earners at $106,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Probation Officer?
A Probation Officer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Case Management, Interviewing, Report Writing. Relevant certifications such as State Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Probation Officers?
The job market for Probation Officers is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 89K Probation Officer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 5%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Probation Officers the most?
The highest-paying states for Probation Officers include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $78,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Probation Officer salary?
To increase your Probation Officer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Case Management and Interviewing. Pursue certifications such as State Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $48,200 to $86,800 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Probation Officer Salary
How we calculate Probation Officer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (SOC 21-1092), 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: $66,270, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists; BLS mean $73,130; BLS hourly median $31.86.
- Entry-level ($48,200) and senior-level ($86,800) 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: +3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 89,390 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 5% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $66,270; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Probation Officer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Probation 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: Probation Officer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Case Management, Interviewing, 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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