How Much Do Correctional Officer Make

Average Correctional Service Officers Salary In Canada

The table below details the hourly wages for Correctional Service Officers.

The Canadian national occupation classification code for this role is 4422.

Job titles and exact duties vary in this occupation and examples of some job titles are: correctional service officer, prison guard, prison officer and correctional officers supervisor.

According to the latest figures, the highest hourly average wages are earned in Alberta at $37.26 per hour and the lowest average wages are earned in Prince Edward Island at $26.89 per hour.

A typical full-time annual salary for this occupation is in the region of $55,000 $75,000.

Government data indicates that the labour market for this profession will be balanced for the near future. The majority of job openings will be due to retirements.

Salary Increases Throughout A Correctional Officers Career

One of the greatest factors in salary determination is duration of employment. Depending upon the employer, the salary of a corrections officer may escalate quickly after reaching certain milestones. Although correctional officers at the lowest tiers of the department may not experience dramatic surges in salary, supervisors and managers do enjoy significant bumps in salary after a given period of service. According to Recruiter.com the salary of first line supervisors may rise from $40,000 up to $60,000 depending on length of employment.

In addition to the increased salaries, many long-serving correctional officers also receive additional perks. Most prison facilities allow senior officers to have first pick of assignments, which allows them to choose positions that present less risk of injury. Most states also allow correctional officers to retire more quickly than other civil servants.

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 bachelors 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.

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Correctional Officer Salary In Texas

• Resume Critique

How much does a Correctional Officer make in Texas? The average Correctional Officer salary in Texas is $47,324 as of August 29, 2022, but the range typically falls between $42,136 and $52,517. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

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
• State Government
• Federal Government

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.

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Advancement Opportunities In This Criminal Justice Career

If you decide that a correctional officer career is the right criminal justice career path for you, there are plenty of advancement opportunities. Jail and prison systems generally operate using a chain of command. Each position up the chain has expanded responsibilities within the jail or prison system.

While the exact position titles can change depending on the individual facility, they may include :

• Correctional officer

Bonuses To Correctional Officer Salaries

An important consideration in determining the overall financial compensation of correctional officers is recognizing the opportunities to add to a base salary through overtime. Due to the high level of turnover in this profession, most prison facilities are understaffed. There is a constant need for officers to work additional hours.

Younger correctional officers who are willing to work nights, holidays, or over the standard 40 hours can accrue a considerable bonus. In some states, corrections officers report making up to $30,000 in additional salary from overtime.

Correctional Officer Resources

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Requirements & Qualifications One Needs To Become A Correctional Officer:

The steps to become a correctional officer is not any different from any other law enforcement job. The hiring process is a long and tedious one. Usually taking up to 3 to 6 months before you are hired.

The requirements to become a CO is as followed

• You must be 18 years or older
• You must pass a background check
• You must pass the drug screen test
• Must not have been convicted of a felony
• You must pass the civil service test
• Must pass the oral board interview
• Must not have been convicted of domestic violence
• Must have a valid drivers license
• Must have a high school diploma
• Must be someone of good moral character and reputation

Does A Degree Improve The Salary Of A Correctional Officer

While a majority of correctional officer jobs require only a diploma, having a bachelors 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.

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Borquez’s 5 Tips For Financial Planning

1. Start taking classes in money management when you first go in. Learn about your retirement plans. Management needs to make sure the prisons offer those classes. And the bosses need to go ahead and spend the money to get financial people to develop a portfolio for COs. I hate to say it, but I’m talking about one-on-one attention, because without it a CO’s individual questions may not get answered.

2. Balance out your life with a budget. Figure out how much you need to spend for your wants and needs, and use overtime to get it.

3. Overtime is great, and when you first get in, that money can be seductive. COs get too anxious about making that extra money. In fact, I knew a guy who was working eighty hours a week. You can burn out and even have a heart attack from working that much. My best formula after spending years supporting my family is to work O.T. three times a month. Know management won’t step in and tell you to slow down. If anything, they’ll advise you to do more. You have to take care of yourself.

4. Save your money. Don’t go out and buy that $45,000 tricked -out Durango pick up truck. Don’t worry about buying a house. Feed your family and put that money where you need it. Spend it on toys when you know you can afford it.

5. When you first come in, they hit you with twenty different things to pay into. Try not to be overwhelmed by all of these options. Be careful where you put your money.

Job Description & Duties Of A Correctional Officer

Before discussing the average salary of a correctional officer, lets dig into the job description of a correctional officers? By an large the job of a correctional officer, and what they do for our community goes unnoticed, and somewhat under appreciated. I guess the reason might be that a corrections officer, in many instances are not seen often by the general public like a firemen or a police officer.

Normally jailers or prison guards work in high security conscious facilities, where the only people that see them on a daily basis are inmates. Although detention officers dont get the credit that they deserve from the general public, they play an important role in keeping our community safe.

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Do Correctional Officers Wear Uniforms

All Correctional Services employees Correctional Systems employees and Correctional Counselors will normally wear the work uniform. All Correctional Services employees Correctional Systems employees and Correctional Counselors who wear the work uniform must have at least one complete dress uniform.

Do Correctional Officers Get Paid Good

Average salary for corrections officers. The latest average salary numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics show: The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $47 410 in May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32 830 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81 940.

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What Do Corrections Officers Do

Corrections officers help ensure the safe and efficient management of prison and jail populations. Corrections officers make sure that all prison procedures and rules are followed, supervise and assist inmates as necessary, and report any issues related to health, behavior, or rules violations. These professionals are typically the first point of contact between incarcerated individuals and the prison administration and legal system. The officers enforce all procedures (usually on a very strictRead more

Corrections Officer Average Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 423,050 correctional officers worked nationwide as of May 2019. These prison guards earned an average annual wage of 50,130. Correctional officer hourly pay was $24.10. A starting salary was likely to fall between the 10th percentile wage of $31,740 annually and the 25th percentile wage of $37,110 annually.

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What Does A Correctional Officer Do

A correctional officersometimes referred to as a corrections officeris tasked with keeping a safe and secure jail or prison environment. This involves monitoring people who are confined while going through the court process, as well as looking after those who have been convicted, sentenced, and are serving their court-ordered time.

Some correctional officers are assigned to environments outside the jail or prison. For instance, transport officers are responsible for getting prisoners to and from the courthouse to appear in their legal proceedings. Others are assigned to work inside the courthouses, taking inmates from the court lockup to the courtroom to stand before the judge. Correctional officers assigned to a courthouse are typically referred to as bailiffs.

Regardless of where the correctional officer works, their goal is to keep both the prisoners and the public safe. The former is achieved by resolving any tension between inmates, by conducting regular inspections to locate prisoner-made weapons or drugs , and ensuring that the prisoners mental and physical health needs are met. The latter is achieved by following safety protocols, such as securing the prisoner according to agency standards and preventing a possible escape.

How Many Hours A Week Does A Correctional Officer Work

Officers shall be paid according to an average of 38 ordinary hours per week although more or less than 38 ordinary hours may be worked in any particular week. Officers shall have their salaries paid into an account with a bank or other financial institution in New South Wales as nominated by the officer.

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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.

Salary Changes Throughout An Officers Career

While correctional officers do not have dramatic surges in salary, they enjoy significant bumps after a certain period. If youre 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.

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Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview

Job opportunities in military and protective services depend heavily on government budgets that may not be flexible. Pay scales rely heavily on time in service and are less-performance based, but public sector benefits can be attractive. Protective services roles are also an opportunity for veterans looking to transition into civilian roles. Education requirements in military and protective services vary, though many jobs don’t require a Bachelor’s degree.

What Are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Correctional Officer Jobs

Weve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Correctional Officer job is above the national average. Topping the list is Atkinson, NE, with Lake Marcel-Stillwater, WA and New York City, NY close behind in the second and third positions. New York City, NY beats the national average by $6,036 , and Atkinson, NE furthers that trend with another $12,157 above the $37,009 average.

With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Correctional Officer appears to be exceedingly fruitful.

However, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies modestly at 18% between Atkinson, NE and Bend, OR, suggesting it may be difficult to see much positive wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may help determine the balance between location and salary for Correctional Officer role.

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What Are Top 5 Best Paying Related Correctional Officer Jobs In The Us

We found at least five jobs related to the Correctional Officer job category that pay more per year than a typical Correctional Officer salary. Top examples of these roles include: Correctional Medicine Physician, Correctional Psychiatrist, and Correctional Physician.

Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $87,051 and $148,106 more than the average Correctional Officer salary of $37,009. If youre qualified, getting hired for one of these related Correctional Officer jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Correctional Officer position.

The Effect Of Experience On The Salary Of Correctional Officers

Potential employers of correctional officers usually value experience in evaluating applicants for positions. The two most relevant backgrounds that employers look for are military service and law enforcement. The skills learned in high-risk conflict activities found in these professions often translate into effectiveness in supervising prisoners. In Michigan, for example, as of 2018, of the 13,500 employees in the Department of Corrections, 20 percent were military veterans. Many state governments are willing to provide employment preferences and salary bonuses to military veterans.

One of the greatest factors in salary determination is duration of employment. Depending upon the employer, the salary of a corrections officer may escalate quickly after reaching certain milestones. Although correctional officers at the lowest tiers of the department may not experience dramatic surges in salary, supervisors and managers do enjoy significant bumps in salary after a given period of service.

In addition to the increased salaries, many long-serving correctional officers also receive additional perks. Most prison facilities allow senior officers to have first pick of assignments, which allows them to choose positions that present less risk of injury. Many states also allow correctional officers to retire more quickly than other civil servants.

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Job Description For Correctional Officer

Correctional Officer enforces rules and regulations in a prison, jail or other holding facility. Presides over prisoners awaiting trial or those who have been convicted of a crime. Being a Correctional Officer oversees prisoner conduct and safety. Supervises prisoners during meals, recreation, work and other daily activities. Additionally, Correctional Officer documents violations and takes appropriate disciplinary actions. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. The Correctional Officer possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. … View full job description