Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$79,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#6 of 49
12,190 employed here

How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in Illinois?

Correctional Officers and Jailers working in Illinois earn a median salary of $79,190 per year, or about $38.07 per hour. That is 34% above the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $50,520 while the top 10% make $102,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,900 and $88,790 a year.

Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,520$24.29
25th percentile (early career)$65,900$31.68
50th percentile (median)$79,190$38.07
75th percentile (experienced)$88,790$42.69
90th percentile (top earners)$102,770$49.41

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 6th out of 49 states and territories for Correctional Officers and Jailers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$96,370
2New Jersey$94,770
3Massachusetts$86,310
4Oregon$83,690
5Washington$79,460

Working as Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($79,190) 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 Illinois?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Illinois is $79,190 per year, or about $38.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,520 at the entry level to $102,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 34% more than the national median of $58,940. Illinois ranks 6th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,190 a year. About 12,190 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.