Correctional Officers and Jailers
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$58,940/yr
Typical range
$48,640 – $75,850
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Correctional Officers and Jailers does
You supervise inmates in jails and prisons, maintain security, enforce rules, and monitor inmate behavior and safety. This role requires vigilance and professional judgment in a secure facility environment.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Security Guards — $38,020/yr
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — $76,210/yr
- Customs and Border Protection Officers — $76,210/yr
- Firefighters — $59,280/yr
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $33,580/yr
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