🛡️ Public Safety ↑ -10% growth · Declining (prison population reforms)

Correctional Officer

Correctional officers supervise inmates in jails, prisons, and detention facilities — maintaining order, conducting searches, and running rehabilitation programs. It offers strong government benefits and a clear promotion track.

$49,610 Median Salary
388K US Jobs
3–6 months Training
Usually government-funded Typical Cost
Get Free Program Info → Find Schools

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$37,000
Median
$49,610
Experienced
$71,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

-10%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Declining (prison population reforms)
388K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
State correctional officer certification
Required Credential
State correctional officer certification

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
Correctional Officer Academy
Program Length
3–6 months
Typical Tuition
Usually government-funded
Work Setting
County jails, state prisons, federal prisons, juvenile facilities
🏆 Credential Required: State correctional officer certification

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Correctional Officer involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a County jails environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ Correctional Officer by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC