California Median
$96,370
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+64% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#1 of 49
37,860 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in California?
Correctional Officers and Jailers working in California earn a median salary of $96,370 per year, or about $46.33 per hour. That is 64% above the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $63,380 while the top 10% make $114,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,370 and $109,580 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $76,370 | $36.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,370 | $46.33 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $109,580 | $52.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,730 | $55.16 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories for Correctional Officers and Jailers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in other states
New Jersey $94,770Massachusetts $86,310Oregon $83,690Washington $79,460Illinois $79,190New York $76,820Nevada $76,490Wisconsin $73,470Alaska $71,360Hawaii $69,570Utah $67,290Minnesota $66,040Delaware $65,880Connecticut $64,750Maryland $64,250Michigan $64,020Pennsylvania $63,460Nebraska $63,380Colorado $62,140New Hampshire $61,360Ohio $59,370Kansas $56,120Arizona $54,970Wyoming $54,780Vermont $53,810Idaho $53,580Iowa $53,040South Dakota $53,040West Virginia $52,890Maine $52,730Texas $52,670North Dakota $52,460Tennessee $50,940North Carolina $50,550Virginia $50,140Florida $49,710Montana $49,180Indiana $48,340New Mexico $47,940South Carolina $47,890Georgia $47,520Alabama $46,660Oklahoma $45,690Missouri $42,620Kentucky $42,310Arkansas $40,330Louisiana $39,850Mississippi $38,720
Working as Correctional Officers and Jailers in California
Nationally, about 381,000 people work as Correctional Officers and Jailers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($96,370) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in California?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in California is $96,370 per year, or about $46.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,380 at the entry level to $114,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 64% more than the national median of $58,940. California ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $96,370 a year. About 37,860 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Correctional Officers and Jailers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.