Salary guide
Correction Officer Salary Guide (2026)
Steady government pay with strong pension and benefits, especially at state facilities.
Entry level
$34,000
Typical starting range
National median
$49,000
Most common salary
Experienced (75th %ile)
$68,000
Stronger long-run earnings
Top earners (90th %ile)
$95,000
Upper-end compensation
BLS code
33-1011
Total jobs
420,000
Hiring outlook
-7% (Declining (prison population trends))Overview
Correction officers at state and federal facilities typically earn more than those at local jails, with the gap often exceeding $10,000 annually. Federal Bureau of Prisons positions offer the highest base pay in this category. Mandatory overtime is common across most facilities due to chronic staffing shortages, which meaningfully increases annual earnings above the base salary figures.
Career intelligence
Hiring outlook
Stable where staffing shortages persist, though long-term outlook is weaker in some prison systems.
Pension quality
Usually strong, especially at state and federal institutions with early retirement pathways.
Overtime potential
High. Mandatory overtime is common and often materially changes annual earnings.
Competition level
Moderate. Entry is more accessible than some public-safety titles, but top systems still compete hard.
Shift and schedule
Round-the-clock facilities mean nights, weekends, and institutional shift rotations are standard.
Highest-paying states
State salary references for Correction Officers. Sort the list or compare two states side by side.
Lowest-paying states
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $28,000 |
| Mississippi | $29,000 |
| South Carolina | $31,000 |
| Tennessee | $33,000 |
| Arkansas | $34,000 |
Benefits and total compensation
Base salary is only part of the picture. Government employers often add 30–50% in benefits value on top of base pay through pensions, overtime structures, healthcare, and longevity-based progression.
Defined-benefit pension with early retirement eligibility (often 25 years)
Full health and dental benefits
Hazard pay at high-security facilities
Mandatory overtime (often adds $8,000–$20,000 annually)
Uniform and equipment allowance
Tuition reimbursement at many state agencies
What affects your pay
Level of facility (county jail vs. state prison vs. federal penitentiary)
State — state-level positions almost always pay more than county jails
Security level of facility (maximum security carries differentials in some states)
Shift differential for overnight and weekend assignments
Overtime — mandatory OT is common and adds substantially to base
Rank — sergeant, lieutenant, captain progression
Practice before applying
See how the Correction Officer exam path actually works
Use the study guide to understand the testing format, then jump into practice before you apply. It is the fastest way to compare pay upside with the exam track behind it.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics reference data. Figures on this page are directional occupation-level salary references, not agency-specific pay schedules. Total compensation including benefits, overtime, and pension contributions may differ substantially from base salary. Last reviewed: July 2026.