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COS Salary in the United States

How much does a COS make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a COS in the United States is $224,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $108.

However, a COS's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $277,391
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $192,190 to $251,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $163,147
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence COS Salaries

A COS's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects COS Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a COS's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $204,569
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $207,426
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $209,806
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $213,615
  • Expert (over 8 years): $218,377
Levels Salary
Entry Level COS$204,569
Intermediate Level COS$207,426
Senior Level COS$209,806
Specialist Level COS$213,615
Expert Level COS$218,377
View as Graph

How Do COS Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract COS. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $248,090.
  • California: $247,190.
  • Massachusetts: $243,890.

Top Paying Cities for COS

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $282,690
  • San Francisco: $279,590
  • Oakland: $273,690

What Skills Can Increase a COS's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 13.52% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Business Operations (Mentioned in 1.07% Job Postings): The outcome of business operations is the harvesting of value from assets owned by a business. Assets can be either physical or intangible. An example of value derived from a physical asset, like a building, is rent. An example of value derived from an intangible asset, like an idea, is a royalty. The effort involved in "harvesting" this value is what constitutes business operations cycles.
  • Client Service (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): Client services are the processes and interactions organizations and members of their staff have with their clients.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 13.52%
Business Operations 1.07%
Client Service 1.02%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a COS's salary.

  • VMware: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • Cadence: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Client Service: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
VMware $293,558
31%
Cadence $246,499
10%
Client Service $246,499
10%
Get Latest Data

COS Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

COS salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $250,430. While startup companies pay approximate $211,838.

COS Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $211,838
Growth Stage 51~500 $224,040
Established 501~5000 $241,822
Enterprise 5000+ $250,430

COS Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For COS roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, COS positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view COS as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a COS

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$280,112$135.025%
Healthcare$268,908$129.020%
Internet$268,908$129.020%
Software & Networking$268,908$129.020%
Energy & Utilities$257,703$124.015%

How Education impacts a COS's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many COS enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a COS with a Bachelor's Degree is between $250,848 and $281,780).

COS Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for COS
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 7.3%
Associates 4.7%
Bachelors 40.1%
Masters 40.5%
Doctorate 6.5%
View as Graph

COS Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a COS's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$192,190
Average $224,090/year
$251,990
$16,016
Average $18,674/month
$20,999
$3,696
Average $4,309/week
$4,846
$92
Average $108/hour
$121
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $251,990 $20,999 $4,846 $121
Average $224,090 $18,674 $4,309 $108
25th Percentile $192,190 $16,016 $3,696 $92

COS Salary Growth & Career Path

COS

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a COS, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Chairman of the Board & CEO $1,090,500 387%
CEO $730,200 226%

Most common benefits for COS

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for COS

Here are companies hiring for COS and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next COS Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current COS job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about COS

1. What industry pays the highest salary for COS?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for COS roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Do correctional officers make more than police officers?

Correctional officers earn between $221,290 and $337,890, with a median salary of $276,190. Historically, police officers have earned more than corrections officers by over $15,000 annually. However, recent data suggests that corrections officers' salaries are competitive, making the comparison more favorable for them than in the past.

3. What is the salary of a co?

The salary for a C O ranges from ₹2,21,290 to ₹3,37,890 per year, with an average salary of ₹2,76,190. These figures are based on the latest data and reflect the compensation across various industries. The starting salary for a C O in India is approximately ₹2,21,290 annually.

4. What is the top pay for a federal Correctional Officer?

The top pay for a federal Correctional Officer can reach up to $337,890 annually, with a minimum salary of $221,290 and a mid-range salary of $276,190. This reflects a significant increase compared to the previous figures, highlighting the competitive compensation in this field.

5. How much does jail get paid per inmate?

The salary data for Correctional Officers (COS) indicates that the minimum salary is $221,290, the mid-range salary is $276,190, and the maximum salary can reach $337,890. This reflects the compensation structure for professionals working in correctional facilities, which can vary based on experience and location.

6. How much does an immigration officer earn in USA?

An immigration officer in the USA can expect to earn between $221,290 and $337,890 annually, with a median salary of $276,190. This reflects a significant increase compared to the average reported salary of $82,000, indicating a higher earning potential in this role. Salary data is based on recent industry insights.

7. What is the salary of a co in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Correctional Officer in the US ranges from a minimum of $221,290 to a maximum of $337,890, with a mid-salary of $276,190. This reflects a significant difference compared to the average annual pay of $54,007 reported earlier.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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