Correctional Officers and Jailers

General Information

Description

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

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Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Job Outlook

Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline 10 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, about 33,300 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Related Military Careers

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$47,920

Military salary*

$59,543

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$81,890
$25,920
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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 88%
  • Post-secondary certificate 9%
  • Associate's degree 1%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Knowledge

  • Public Safety and Security
  • Psychology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Law and Government
  • Computers and Electronics

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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