How Much Do Correctional Officer Make?

A detailed guide on correctional officer Pay

According to the US Labor of Statistics, the annual salary of a correctional officer is $ 43,550. Officers in the top 10% earn average salaries of $69,610 while those in the lower 10% earn up to $27,000. Since many jobs are expected to open up, officers must obtain strong professional credentials, identify the most lucrative regions, and seek out the highest-paid employer. But the main factor that determines a correctional officer salary is the number of years of employment. For instance, managers and supervisors receive a higher salary after a given period of service.

Does a degree improve the salary of a correctional officer?

While a majority of correctional officer jobs require only a diploma, having a bachelor’s degree provides an added advantage. The Bureau of Prisons may require that you gain experience in social work. Other than that, you need some college credits which are satisfied with a post-graduate degree. If you want to rise to the level of a warden or supervisor, you need some skills in counseling, psychology, and behavior management.

How much do prison Guards make?

States with robust economies and large prison populations like California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island pay higher salaries. The salaries of officers escalate quickly after reaching a certain milestone. California and New York offer the most employment opportunities which stand at $37,210 and $32, 650 respectively. And because of the high salaries, the states attract professionals who are willing to work in stressful environments.

There are four employers of correctional officers in the US: the state government, local government, federal government, and private prisons. The median salaries for correctional officers working in different industries are:

• Local government ($38,980)
• Private prisons ($30,460)
• State Government ($38,690)
• Federal Government ($54,310)

The state government is the largest employer. It employs 236,800 officers who earn an average salary of $44,180. Another highest-paid employer is the local government. It has 236,000 correctional officers who earn an annual salary of $42, 650. The other high-paying employer is the local government. It has about 157,000 officers who earn an average salary of $42,650. Finally, private prisons have a small number of correctional officers who earn an annual salary of $30,460. In terms of hourly pay, New Jersey leads at $33.32 while Rhode Island offers $28.22. Any person who wishes to pursue this career is required to have physical and mental strength.

How does experience/professional affect salaries?

Before you join the service, employers look for backgrounds in law enforcement and military service. The skills acquired help to service prisoners. Thankfully, the government provides salary bonuses and employment preferences to veterans. For example, in Georgia officers receive a bonus of 2.5 to 10% of the base salary. Of course, this will depend on the time served.

The most important part of becoming a correctional officer is training. But the basic requirement is obtaining a high school diploma. If you want to work as a correctional officer at a federal level, you need a bachelor’s degree. But before you get accepted into a training program, you must pass through some training program. Apart from the physical aspect, you may be required to handle some tasks. The program may last for a couple of months. It consists of things like officer safety, self-defense, inmate handling, and physical conditioning. When correctional officers earn the necessary experience, they can advance their careers later on. Be sure to use every opportunity to learn something new – from psychological counseling to firearm training. An officer should also understand the institutional policies, security procedures, and legal restrictions.

Getting additional credentials will increase the chances of higher pay, more responsibility, and promotion. Those who focus on communication and psychology can move to the managerial section of the prison. Understanding the concept behind training will help you determine the level to pursue.

Salary changes throughout an officer’s career

While correctional officers do not have dramatic surges in salary, they enjoy significant bumps after a certain period. If you’re a first-line supervisor, your annual salary can go as high as $60,000 depending on the length of employment. Apart from that, long-serving officers get additional perks. They are also allowed to choose positions with less risk of injury. According to BLS, the salary changes are expected to be steady in the years ahead. Correctional officers like sergeants, lieutenants, and captains interested in earning a promotion may be required to advance their careers.

Earning bonuses

The easiest way to determine the compensation of correctional officers is to recognize the opportunities that can be added to the base salary. And because this turnover requires professionalism, it’s no wonder that most prisons are understaffed.

The officers may be required to work overtime. Some can earn as much as $60,000 on overtime alone. This may be in isolated cases, but that amount is fulfilling. Correctional officers earn 13 vacation days and 16 hours of personal leave. Additional time may be offered by officers with accrued years of service. Other than that, officers can receive 8 hours of birthday leave. Bonuses can also be earned through early retirement. Some departments require an officer to hold a degree. If you have problems paying for tuition fees, the employer may offer tuition plan reimbursement. Generally, officers work up to 8 hours a day. But because jail security must be provided round the clock, officers may be forced to work at night and holidays.

Youth correctional officer pay

Youth correctional officers can work in different juvenile centers, specialized work camps, and prison facilities. To start with, an officer must have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Most positions require an officer to have an undergraduate degree in fields such as criminal justice, law enforcement, social work, and psychology. And because Juvenile offenders may be violent, officers should be able to handle a variety of situations like fights and suicide attempts. They may also update offender reports and perform checks on contraband goods/illegal goods.

The bottom line

Correctional officers help to keep prisoners safe and detention facilities in order. Since the US has the largest prison facilities in the world, it has a high demand for officers. And due to the rising of inmates, the number of correctional officers is expected to rise. The salary depends on whether you’re considering a management/supervisory level or an entry-level position. On average, a correctional officer should pay an annual salary of $43,000 ($21 per hour). If you want to get the most as a correctional officer, you should relocate to an area with high demand. Also, you must maximize on our education and training.