How Much Does a Correctional Officer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$58,940
Correctional officers in the U.S. earn a median of $58,940 a year, or $28.34 an hour. Half of correctional officers earn more than $58,940 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $93,220.
Pay percentiles for correctional officers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20.56 | $42,760 |
| 25th | $23.38 | $48,640 |
| 50th (median) | $28.34 | $58,940 |
| 75th | $36.47 | $75,850 |
| 90th | $44.82 | $93,220 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for correctional officers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $96,370 | $46.33 | +64% |
| New Jersey | $94,770 | $45.56 | +61% |
| Massachusetts | $86,310 | $41.49 | +46% |
| Oregon | $83,690 | $40.24 | +42% |
| Washington | $79,460 | $38.20 | +35% |
| Illinois | $79,190 | $38.07 | +34% |
| New York | $76,820 | $36.93 | +30% |
| Nevada | $76,490 | $36.77 | +30% |
| Wisconsin | $73,470 | $35.32 | +25% |
| Alaska | $71,360 | $34.31 | +21% |
| United States | $58,940 | $28.34 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many correctional officers are there?
BLS counts about 380,500 correctional officers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Correctional Officers and Jailers”. The most jobs are in Texas (44,700), California (37,860) and New York (27,770).
The mean (average) annual wage is $63,630, higher than the median of $58,940.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,912
- Biweekly
- $2,267
- Weekly
- $1,133
- Daily (8 hours)
- $227
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do correctional officers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for correctional officers is $28.34. The middle 50% earn between $23.38 and $36.47 an hour.
Which state pays correctional officers the most?
California has the highest median wage for correctional officers at $96,370, +64% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for correctional officers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of correctional officers earn less than $42,760 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.