Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012) employed 380,500 people in May 2025. The median pay is $58,940 a year ($28.34 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,760 and the highest-paid 10% more than $93,220. BLS projects its employment to change by -7.4% between 2025 and 2035 (about 28,400 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: California ($96,370), New Jersey ($94,770), Massachusetts ($86,310). Most jobs: Texas (44,700), California (37,860), New York (27,770).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| 25th percentile | $48,640 | $23.38 |
| Median | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| Mean | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| 75th percentile | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $93,220 | $44.82 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 397,800 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 368,200 |
| Change in jobs | -29,500 |
| Percent change | -7.4% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 28,400 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,970 | 0.96 | $46,660 | $30,430 | $74,290 | -21% | 28% |
| Alaska | 850 | 1.06 | $71,360 | $60,340 | $94,930 | +21% | 24% |
| Arizona | 14,230 | 1.79 | $54,970 | $45,620 | $65,030 | -7% | 36% |
| Arkansas | 4,460 | 1.40 | $40,330 | $31,200 | $49,360 | -32% | 29% |
| California | 37,860 | 0.85 | $96,370 | $63,380 | $114,730 | +64% | 26% |
| Colorado | 7,290 | 1.04 | $62,140 | $52,370 | $87,690 | +5% | 35% |
| Connecticut | 3,780 | 0.91 | $64,750 | $55,520 | $70,710 | +10% | 29% |
| Delaware | 1,730 | 1.46 | $65,880 | $46,520 | $79,260 | +12% | 28% |
| Florida | 24,280 | 1.00 | $49,710 | $45,760 | $80,500 | -16% | 44% |
| Georgia | 10,640 | 0.89 | $47,520 | $36,820 | $58,430 | -19% | 38% |
| Hawaii | 1,310 | 0.85 | $69,570 | $64,250 | $82,240 | +18% | 33% |
| Idaho | 2,370 | 1.13 | $53,580 | $45,430 | $74,720 | -9% | 31% |
| Illinois | 12,190 | 0.82 | $79,190 | $50,520 | $102,770 | +34% | 20% |
| Indiana | 8,060 | 1.03 | $48,340 | $41,670 | $61,840 | -18% | 27% |
| Iowa | 3,440 | 0.90 | $53,040 | $47,670 | $73,530 | -10% | 22% |
| Kansas | 3,380 | 0.96 | $56,120 | $37,000 | $64,940 | -5% | 23% |
| Kentucky | 6,770 | 1.38 | $42,310 | $29,910 | $61,820 | -28% | 28% |
| Louisiana | 7,960 | 1.68 | $39,850 | $30,770 | $55,260 | -32% | 32% |
| Maine | 1,090 | 0.69 | $52,730 | $44,640 | $60,510 | -11% | 28% |
| Maryland | 6,060 | 0.90 | $64,250 | $53,100 | $82,280 | +9% | 32% |
| Massachusetts | 6,360 | 0.71 | $86,310 | $63,520 | $101,620 | +46% | 26% |
| Michigan | 8,220 | 0.76 | $64,020 | $47,360 | $77,990 | +9% | 22% |
| Minnesota | 5,350 | 0.74 | $66,040 | $54,060 | $82,380 | +12% | 23% |
| Mississippi | 4,040 | 1.42 | $38,720 | $27,540 | $55,580 | -34% | 31% |
| Missouri | 6,670 | 0.93 | $42,620 | $37,210 | $63,940 | -28% | 30% |
| Montana | 1,430 | 1.15 | $49,180 | $44,690 | $62,730 | -17% | 29% |
| Nebraska | 3,250 | 1.29 | $63,380 | $47,630 | $78,270 | +8% | 21% |
| Nevada | 3,240 | 0.85 | $76,490 | $62,150 | $102,610 | +30% | 27% |
| New Hampshire | 680 | 0.40 | $61,360 | $47,480 | $82,240 | +4% | 30% |
| New Jersey | 7,570 | 0.72 | $94,770 | $51,410 | $106,570 | +61% | 23% |
| New Mexico | 2,740 | 1.29 | $47,940 | $37,900 | $59,330 | -19% | 28% |
| New York | 27,770 | 1.17 | $76,820 | $58,940 | $93,220 | +30% | 26% |
| North Carolina | 11,900 | 0.98 | $50,550 | $38,850 | $63,150 | -14% | 32% |
| North Dakota | 1,290 | 1.23 | $52,460 | $47,580 | $62,870 | -11% | 22% |
| Ohio | 12,610 | 0.93 | $59,370 | $46,930 | $68,060 | +1% | 22% |
| Oklahoma | 3,730 | 0.89 | $45,690 | $34,530 | $58,380 | -22% | 27% |
| Oregon | 3,650 | 0.76 | $83,690 | $64,200 | $95,820 | +42% | 23% |
| Pennsylvania | 15,560 | 1.05 | $63,460 | $46,840 | $85,630 | +8% | 24% |
| South Carolina | 4,870 | 0.86 | $47,890 | $40,090 | $71,390 | -19% | 32% |
| South Dakota | 1,490 | 1.33 | $53,040 | $43,240 | $66,390 | -10% | 23% |
| Tennessee | 6,990 | 0.87 | $50,940 | $38,690 | $62,790 | -14% | 30% |
| Texas | 44,700 | 1.30 | $52,670 | $44,870 | $60,550 | -11% | 34% |
| Utah | 2,050 | 0.48 | $67,290 | $47,700 | $84,680 | +14% | 28% |
| Vermont | 450 | 0.60 | $53,810 | $46,010 | $71,660 | -9% | 29% |
| Virginia | 11,270 | 1.12 | $50,140 | $46,320 | $70,570 | -15% | 39% |
| Washington | 6,800 | 0.78 | $79,460 | $64,460 | $95,430 | +35% | 28% |
| West Virginia | 2,980 | 1.74 | $52,890 | $45,390 | $75,610 | -10% | 20% |
| Wisconsin | 7,360 | 1.02 | $73,470 | $56,540 | $92,140 | +25% | 19% |
| Wyoming | 920 | 1.34 | $54,780 | $50,340 | $71,010 | -7% | 22% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,050 | $132,670 | $90,020 | $132,670 | 0.38 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,510 | $109,620 | $69,800 | $116,270 | 3.31 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 3,280 | $107,220 | $69,770 | $114,730 | 3.97 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 710 | $107,220 | $85,720 | $114,730 | 2.37 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1,220 | $107,220 | $69,770 | $112,800 | 1.72 |
| Vineland, NJ | 1,090 | $106,570 | $70,620 | $106,570 | 7.15 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,500 | $99,880 | $69,800 | $119,450 | 0.26 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 470 | $94,740 | $64,190 | $95,740 | 0.96 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,800 | $94,730 | $63,380 | $114,730 | 1.14 |
| Fresno, CA | 2,660 | $94,010 | $64,880 | $113,660 | 2.28 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 14,730 | $93,220 | $51,410 | $105,950 | 0.63 |
| Worcester, MA | 640 | $91,980 | $66,380 | $104,720 | 0.75 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,920 | $89,730 | $52,190 | $112,800 | 0.73 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 4,510 | $89,060 | $65,030 | $101,620 | 0.68 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,350 | $84,640 | $64,510 | $95,820 | 0.46 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 4,940 | $84,550 | $61,000 | $95,990 | 0.45 |
| Salem, OR | 700 | $83,690 | $64,100 | $91,470 | 1.52 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 2,270 | $81,680 | $63,250 | $104,310 | 0.82 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,170 | $81,550 | $70,600 | $100,960 | 0.43 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 590 | $79,460 | $64,010 | $81,550 | 1.86 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 630 | $79,460 | $67,490 | $81,550 | 1.00 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 6,070 | $78,770 | $60,180 | $109,580 | 0.40 |
| Elmira, NY | 550 | $76,820 | $64,010 | $85,070 | 6.72 |
| Rochester, NY | 1,390 | $76,820 | $60,600 | $85,070 | 1.15 |
| Green Bay, WI | 420 | $76,250 | $60,200 | $91,000 | 0.99 |
| Madison, WI | 610 | $76,250 | $53,520 | $92,140 | 0.61 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 1,590 | $76,170 | $58,940 | $80,280 | 1.22 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 400 | $75,480 | $49,730 | $90,400 | 1.89 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 1,990 | $75,240 | $59,570 | $89,060 | 3.03 |
| Carson City, NV | 330 | $74,910 | $62,690 | $90,940 | 4.25 |
| Alexandria, LA | 420 | $72,920 | $35,170 | $85,450 | 2.89 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 1,300 | $72,890 | $56,450 | $85,070 | 4.49 |
| Syracuse, NY | 530 | $72,060 | $50,110 | $80,340 | 0.72 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3,200 | $70,570 | $54,560 | $97,340 | 0.42 |
| Glens Falls, NY | 370 | $69,840 | $59,210 | $85,070 | 2.99 |
| Springfield, MA | 540 | $69,650 | $61,500 | $83,390 | 1.10 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 2,670 | $69,640 | $59,630 | $82,380 | 0.56 |
| Anchorage, AK | 480 | $68,850 | $60,340 | $85,630 | 1.12 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 370 | $68,520 | $61,210 | $81,370 | 0.69 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 1,210 | $68,520 | $53,390 | $79,340 | 0.83 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 2,200 | $67,920 | $47,360 | $77,990 | 0.47 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | 980 | $67,770 | $47,130 | $79,390 | 9.71 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 5,570 | $67,200 | $49,520 | $94,770 | 0.79 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 5,010 | $66,770 | $48,260 | $97,830 | 0.73 |
| State College, PA | 770 | $66,730 | $46,840 | $87,420 | 4.55 |
| Lincoln, NE | 1,020 | $66,210 | $61,800 | $77,720 | 2.28 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 470 | $66,150 | $44,500 | $85,010 | 0.56 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 900 | $65,910 | $47,610 | $84,700 | 0.45 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 1,820 | $65,660 | $52,370 | $93,030 | 0.46 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 2,170 | $65,340 | $44,660 | $95,210 | 0.61 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 590 | $64,750 | $53,670 | $70,710 | 1.89 |
| Mobile, AL | 300 | $64,690 | $44,180 | $81,130 | 0.72 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 3,110 | $64,250 | $53,100 | $77,250 | 0.94 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 890 | $64,250 | $53,100 | $73,900 | 3.38 |
| Salisbury, MD | 470 | $64,250 | $53,100 | $79,260 | 3.54 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 310 | $64,080 | $44,660 | $95,130 | 0.73 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 1,020 | $63,910 | $62,320 | $86,490 | 0.51 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 760 | $63,460 | $49,000 | $88,590 | 0.92 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 1,180 | $63,380 | $50,010 | $78,270 | 0.97 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 610 | $63,230 | $49,920 | $75,850 | 0.62 |
The median is $58,940 a year ($28.34 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $42,760 and the highest-paid tenth over $93,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
380,500 in May 2025, and BLS projects -7.4% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
California, with a median of $96,370 (among states with published figures).