Correctional Officers and Jailers in California
Considering working as a Correctional Officers and Jailers in California? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Correctional Officers and Jailers Make in California?
For a correctional officers and jailers working in California, wages run about $95,840 per year (or roughly $46.08/hour).Earnings range from $62,880 at the 10th percentile to $111,380 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| 25th percentile | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| Median (50th) | $95,840 | $46.08 |
| 75th percentile | $106,380 | $51.15 |
| 90th percentile | $111,380 | $53.55 |
The job concentration index in California relative to the national average — is 0.88, meaning fewer correctional officers and jailers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, correctional officers and jailers earn a median of $59,482 per year ($28.60/hour), higher than the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 473,544 correctional officers and jailers across the United States. In California alone, approximately 37,760 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 4,730 correctional officers and jailers.
Top California Metros for Correctional Officers and Jailers
The largest metro-area employers of correctional officers and jailers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 5,920 | $79,710 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,920 | $93,690 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 3,290 | $104,090 |
| Fresno, CA | 2,640 | $92,010 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,970 | $86,930 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,620 | $100,540 |
| Salinas, CA | 1,490 | $106,490 |
| El Centro, CA | 1,320 | $104,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,050 | $131,210 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 700 | $104,090 |
| Merced, CA | 240 | $98,550 |
| Visalia, CA | 240 | $79,370 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 120 | $81,910 |
Top States for Correctional Officers and Jailers Employment
These states have the highest employment of correctional officers and jailers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 39,150 |
| California | 37,760 |
| New York | 29,710 |
| Florida | 22,390 |
| Pennsylvania | 15,260 |
| Arizona | 13,840 |
| Ohio | 12,350 |
| Illinois | 12,210 |
| North Carolina | 11,780 |
| Virginia | 11,720 |
| Georgia | 10,090 |
| Michigan | 8,200 |
| New Jersey | 7,840 |
| Tennessee | 7,610 |
| Louisiana | 7,290 |
| Colorado | 6,900 |
| Indiana | 6,870 |
| Washington | 6,470 |
| Wisconsin | 6,290 |
| Maryland | 5,950 |
Highest-Paying States for Correctional Officers and Jailers
Where correctional officers and jailers earn the most: correctional officers and jailers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $95,840 |
| New Jersey | $90,150 |
| Oregon | $83,120 |
| Massachusetts | $78,830 |
| Illinois | $78,750 |
| Nevada | $76,800 |
| Washington | $76,400 |
| New York | $75,330 |
| Wisconsin | $74,490 |
| Alaska | $71,360 |
Skills
Top correctional officers and jailers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for correctional officers and jailers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
- Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
- Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
- Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
- Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
- Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
- Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
- Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
- Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
- Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment, such as a computer.
- Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
- Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Training and Teaching Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Criminal Justice & Corrections
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to correctional officers and jailers include:
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Coroners
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Also Known As
Booking Officer, Certified Detention Deputy, Civilian Jail Officer, Community Corrections Officer (CCO), Community Services Officer (CSO), Confinement Officer, Convict Guard, Correction Officer, Correctional Guard, Correctional Monitor, Correctional Officer, Correctional Officer Specialist, Correctional Security Officer, Corrections Corporal, Corrections Officer (CO).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 33-3012.00
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.