Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in California
Correctional Officers and Jailers in California earn a median annual wage of $96,370 —63.5% above the national median of $58,940. That ranks CA #1 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.85× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for correctional officers and jailers
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $96,370 | $46.33 | 37,860 | 0.85 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $94,770 | $45.56 | 7,570 | 0.72 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $86,310 | $41.49 | 6,360 | 0.71 |
| 4 | Oregon | $83,690 | $40.24 | 3,650 | 0.76 |
| 5 | Washington | $79,460 | $38.20 | 6,800 | 0.78 |
| 6 | Illinois | $79,190 | $38.07 | 12,190 | 0.82 |
| 7 | New York | $76,820 | $36.93 | 27,770 | 1.17 |
| 8 | Nevada | $76,490 | $36.77 | 3,240 | 0.85 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $73,470 | $35.32 | 7,360 | 1.02 |
| 10 | Alaska | $71,360 | $34.31 | 850 | 1.06 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,240 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $76,210 |
| Firefighters | $85,120 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do correctional officers and jailers make in California?
The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers in California is $96,370, or $46.33 per hour. That is 63.5% above the national median of $58,940.
What is the entry-level correctional officers and jailers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $63,380 per year ($30.47/hour). The 25th percentile is $76,370.
How many people work as correctional officers and jailers in California?
About 37,860 people work in this occupation in California, or 2.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for correctional officers and jailers?
California ranks #1 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.85x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays correctional officers and jailers the most?
California has the highest median wage at $96,370 per year, followed by New Jersey ($94,770) and Massachusetts ($86,310).