Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Correctional Officer or Jailer

Find Schools Near

All About Correctional Officers and Jailers

Job 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.

Life As a Correctional Officer or Jailer

  • Search for and recapture escapees.
  • Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
  • Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
  • Arrange daily schedules for prisoners including library visits, work assignments, family visits, and counseling appointments.
  • Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.
  • Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.

What a Correctional Officer or Jailer Should Know

Correctional Officers and Jailers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Police Detention Attendant
  • Youth Corrections Officer
  • Corrections Sergeant
  • Turnkey
  • Matron

Job Opportunities for Correctional Officers and Jailers

There were about 450,000 jobs for Correctional Officer or Jailer in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Correctional Officer or Jailer. There will be an estimated 31,300 positions for Correctional Officer or Jailer per year.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Correctional Officer or Jailer are Washington, Illinois, and South Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, New Jersey, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Correctional Officer or Jailer Salary

The typical yearly salary for Correctional Officers and Jailers is somewhere between $31,140 and $76,760.

undefined

Correctional Officers and Jailers who work in California, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.

How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $36,760
Alaska $64,670
Arizona $44,150
Arkansas $34,120
California $75,400
Colorado $50,620
Connecticut $54,420
Florida $43,410
Georgia $34,290
Hawaii $59,020
Idaho $39,710
Illinois $62,440
Indiana $36,960
Iowa $50,750
Kansas $36,550
Kentucky $35,940
Louisiana $34,370
Maine $40,440
Maryland $49,220
Massachusetts $67,920
Michigan $51,890
Minnesota $51,660
Mississippi $30,840
Missouri $31,650
Montana $40,570
Nebraska $40,310
Nevada $62,140
New Hampshire $47,860
New Jersey $70,280
New Mexico $36,250
New York $64,490
North Carolina $38,500
North Dakota $44,700
Ohio $45,190
Oklahoma $33,060
Oregon $58,450
Pennsylvania $54,140
Rhode Island $68,710
South Carolina $37,560
South Dakota $39,310
Tennessee $35,470
Texas $42,380
Utah $46,150
Vermont $45,810
Virginia $41,860
Washington $57,740
West Virginia $36,960
Wisconsin $44,230
Wyoming $42,290

Tools & Technologies Used by Correctional Officers and Jailers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Correctional Officers and Jailers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Guardian RFID
  • Jail management software

How to Become a Correctional Officer or Jailer

Education needed to be a Correctional Officer or Jailer:

undefined

How Long Does it Take to Become a Correctional Officer or Jailer?

undefined

Where Correctional Officers and Jailers Are Employed

undefined

Correctional Officers and Jailers work in the following industries:

undefined

References:

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.