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Correctional Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Correctional Officer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Correctional Officer in the United States is $52,471 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $61,486
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,477 to $57,190
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,841
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Correctional Officer Salaries

A Correctional Officer'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 Correctional Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Correctional Officer'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): $52,173
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,612
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,668
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $53,880
  • Expert (over 8 years): $54,021
Levels Salary
Entry Level Correctional Officer$52,173
Intermediate Level Correctional Officer$52,612
Senior Level Correctional Officer$53,668
Specialist Level Correctional Officer$53,880
Expert Level Correctional Officer$54,021
View as Graph

How Do Correctional Officer 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 Correctional Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $58,096.
  • California: $57,876.
  • Massachusetts: $57,104.

Top Paying Cities for Correctional Officers

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: $66,182
  • San Francisco: $65,457
  • Oakland: $64,078

What Skills Can Increase a Correctional Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 9.04% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 6.61% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Bond (Mentioned in 2.56% Job Postings): Bonds are issued by borrowers to raise money from investors willing to lend them money for a certain amount of time.
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 9.04%
CPR 6.61%
Bond 2.56%
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 Correctional Officer's salary.

  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Active Listening: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Integrity $56,669
8%
Active Listening $56,669
8%
Problem Solving $55,619
6%
Get Latest Data

Correctional Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Correctional Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $54,172. While startup companies pay approximate $46,260.

Correctional Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $46,260
Growth Stage 51~500 $48,818
Established 501~5000 $52,430
Enterprise 5000+ $54,172

How Education impacts a Correctional Officer's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Correctional Officer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $48,288 and $51,364.

Correctional Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Correctional Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.4%
High School 44.2%
Associates 18.9%
Bachelors 25.8%
Masters 3.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Correctional Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Correctional Officer'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
$48,477
Average $52,471/year
$57,190
$4,040
Average $4,373/month
$4,766
$932
Average $1,009/week
$1,100
$23
Average $25/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $57,190 $4,766 $1,100 $27
Average $52,471 $4,373 $1,009 $25
25th Percentile $48,477 $4,040 $932 $23

Correctional Officer Salary Growth & Career Path

Correctional Officer

Next Role

For a Correctional Officer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Correctional Officer, Sr. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $58,920 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Correctional Officer

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

Common company salaries for Correctional Officer

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

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FAQ about Correctional Officer

1. Where can a Correctional Officer earn the most?

A Correctional Officer's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Correctional Officer earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Correctional Officer is $66,182.

2. What is the highest pay for Correctional Officer?

The highest pay for Correctional Officer is $61,486.

3. What is the lowest pay for Correctional Officer?

The lowest pay for Correctional Officer is $44,841.

4. What are the responsibilities of Correctional Officer?

Enforces rules and regulations in a prison, jail or other holding facility. Presides over prisoners awaiting trial or those who have been convicted of a crime. Oversees prisoner conduct and safety. Supervises prisoners during meals, recreation, work and other daily activities. Documents violations and takes appropriate disciplinary actions. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

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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