Correctional Officer, Sr. Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Correctional Officer, Sr. in the United States is $58,909 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,289
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,741 to $67,483
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,857

Key Factors That Influence Correctional Officer, Sr. Salaries

A Correctional Officer, Sr.'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, Sr. Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Correctional Officer, Sr.'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): $57,869
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,963
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $59,549
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $63,132
  • Expert (over 8 years): $63,388
Levels Salary
Entry Level Correctional Officer, Sr.$57,869
Intermediate Level Correctional Officer, Sr.$57,963
Senior Level Correctional Officer, Sr.$59,549
Specialist Level Correctional Officer, Sr.$63,132
Expert Level Correctional Officer, Sr.$63,388

Top Paying Cities for Correctional Officer, Sr.

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: $74,302
  • San Francisco: $73,488
  • Oakland: $71,940

What Skills Can Increase a Correctional Officer, Sr.'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Agility (Mentioned in 5.93% Job Postings): The ability to think quickly and clearly.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 7.22% 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.
  • Laundry (Mentioned in 3.61% Job Postings): Laundry refers to the washing of clothing and other textiles. Laundry processes are often done in a room reserved for that purpose; in an individual home this is referred to as a laundry room, Laundry in Australian English or utility room. An apartment building or student hall of residence may have a shared laundry facility such as a tvättstuga. A stand-alone business is referred to as a self-service laundry (launderette in British English or laundromat in American English). The material that is being washed, or has been laundered, is also generally referred to as laundry. Laundry has been part of history since humans began to wear clothes, so the methods by which different cultures have dealt with this universal human need are of interest to several branches of scholarship. Laundry work has traditionally been highly gendered, with the responsibility in most cultures falling to women (known as laundresses or washerwomen). The Industrial Revolution gradually led to mechanised solutions to laundry work, notably the washing machine and later the tumble dryer. Laundry, like cooking and child care, is done both at home and by commercial establishments outside the home.
Skills Demand Percentage
Agility 5.93%
CPR 7.22%
Laundry 3.61%

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, Sr.'s salary.

  • Resource Management: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Physical Exercises: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Resource Management $73,047
24%
Physical Exercises $65,978
12%
Flexibility $65,978
12%

Correctional Officer, Sr. Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Correctional Officer, Sr. salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $60,794. While startup companies pay approximate $51,947.

Correctional Officer, Sr. Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $51,947
Growth Stage 51~500 $54,808
Established 501~5000 $58,853
Enterprise 5000+ $60,794

How Education impacts an Correctional Officer, Sr.'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Correctional Officer, Sr. 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, Sr. with a Bachelor's Degree is between $56,313 and $59,970.

Correctional Officer, Sr. Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Correctional Officer, Sr.
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.1%
High School 46.9%
Associates 18.4%
Bachelors 16.3%
Masters 12.2%
Doctorate 2.0%

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

Understanding how a Correctional Officer, Sr.'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 August 01, 2026
$55,741
Average $58,909/year
$67,483
$4,645
Average $4,909/month
$5,624
$1,072
Average $1,133/week
$1,298
$27
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $67,483 $5,624 $1,298 $32
Average $58,909 $4,909 $1,133 $28
25th Percentile $55,741 $4,645 $1,072 $27

Most common benefits for Correctional Officer, Sr.

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

Common company salaries for Correctional Officer, Sr.

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

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FAQ about Correctional Officer, Sr.

1. Where can a Correctional Officer, Sr. earn the most?

A Correctional Officer, Sr.'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, Sr. earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Correctional Officer, Sr. is $74,302.

2. What is the highest pay for Correctional Officer, Sr.?

The highest pay for Correctional Officer, Sr. is $75,289.

3. What is the lowest pay for Correctional Officer, Sr.?

The lowest pay for Correctional Officer, Sr. is $52,857.

4. What are the responsibilities of Correctional Officer, Sr.?

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 equivalent. Requires Firearms Certification. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related 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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