If you think you can supervise inmates in a prison or a correctional facility and enforce the rules of the institution, then a career as a correctional officer may be the perfect fit for you.
Correctional Officer Salary Trend in the U.S
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the national annual mean salary of $49,300 for Correctional Officers and Jailers in 2018. The table shown below explains the salary trend for Correctional Officers and Jailers over the years from 2016 to 2018.
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| Correctional Officer Salary Trend in the U.S. | |
|---|---|
| Year | Annual Mean Salary |
| 2016 | $46,750 |
| 2017 | $47,600 |
| 2018 | $49,300 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The national mean annual salary for Correctional Officers and Jailers in 2016 was $46,750. This figure rose to $47,600 and $49,300 in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The rise in these figures illustrates a gradual increase in the annual median income for this profession over the years. In 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that Federal Executive Branch is the highest paying industry for this occupation with an annual mean salary of $57,540.
Top Paying States for Correctional Officers
The following bar-chart presents an elaborate comparison of the annual mean income of Correctional Officers and Jailers among top paying states of the U.S.
Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The bar-chart shown puts the state of California at number 1 on the list of the top paying states for Correctional Officers and Jailers with annual mean salary of $75,400. Alaska ranks as the 5th top paying state with $64,670 as the annual mean salary for this profession.
What Is the Career Outlook of a Correctional Officer in the U.S.?
The data reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018 portrays a 7% decline in employment for Correctional Officers and Bailiffs over the decade from 2018 to 2028.