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Correctional Officers and Jailers in Massachusetts

Correctional Officers and Jailers in Massachusetts

Want to work as a Correctional Officers and Jailers in Massachusetts? 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 Massachusetts?

For correctional officers and jailers working in Massachusetts, wages run about $78,830 per year (or roughly $37.90/hour).Earnings range from $58,640 at the 10th percentile to $92,190 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $58,640 $28.19
25th percentile $67,420 $32.41
Median (50th) $78,830 $37.90
75th percentile $86,060 $41.37
90th percentile $92,190 $44.32
Salary ranges for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Massachusetts

The job concentration index in Massachusetts nationwide is 0.67, indicating 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), above the Massachusetts median.

Correctional Officers and Jailers earnings in Massachusetts vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 473,544 correctional officers and jailers across the United States. In Massachusetts alone, approximately 5,810 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 4,730 correctional officers and jailers.

Correctional Officers and Jailers in Massachusetts vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Correctional Officers and Jailers

Top Massachusetts Metros for Correctional Officers and Jailers

The metro areas below employ the most correctional officers and jailers in Massachusetts.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 4,450 $81,850
Worcester, MA 420 $86,060
Barnstable Town, MA 140 $73,680

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

Key correctional officers and jailers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Monitoring  4.0 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Public Safety and Security  4.1 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.0 / 5
0
5
Law and Government  3.8 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  3.5 / 5
0
5
Administration and Management  3.5 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Key abilities for correctional officers and jailers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  4.0 / 5
0
5
Inductive Reasoning  3.8 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  3.8 / 5
0
5
Speech Clarity  3.8 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, correctional officers and jailers typically:

  • 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?

Related college programs include:

  • Criminal Justice & Corrections

Related occupations to correctional officers and jailers include:

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

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