Correctional Program Officer Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Correctional Program Officer in the United States is $50,968 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,172
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,727 to $55,262
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $42,865

Key Factors That Influence Correctional Program Officer Salaries

A Correctional Program 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 Program Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Correctional Program 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): $51,557
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,991
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,035
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $53,244
  • Expert (over 8 years): $53,383
Levels Salary
Entry Level Correctional Program Officer$51,557
Intermediate Level Correctional Program Officer$51,991
Senior Level Correctional Program Officer$53,035
Specialist Level Correctional Program Officer$53,244
Expert Level Correctional Program Officer$53,383

How Do Correctional Program 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 Program Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,432.
  • California: $56,218.
  • Massachusetts: $55,469.

Top Paying Cities for Correctional Program 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: $64,286
  • San Francisco: $63,582
  • Oakland: $62,242

What Skills Can Increase a Correctional Program 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%

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 Program 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 $55,046
8%
Active Listening $55,046
8%
Problem Solving $54,026
6%

How Education impacts a Correctional Program Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Correctional Program Officers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Correctional Program Officer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $46,708 and $49,951).

Correctional Program Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Correctional Program 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%

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

Understanding how a Correctional Program 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
$46,727
Average $50,968/year
$55,262
$3,894
Average $4,247/month
$4,605
$899
Average $980/week
$1,063
$22
Average $25/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $55,262 $4,605 $1,063 $27
Average $50,968 $4,247 $980 $25
25th Percentile $46,727 $3,894 $899 $22

Most common benefits for Correctional Program Officer

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

Common company salaries for Correctional Program Officer

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

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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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