Iowa Median
$53,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#28 of 49
3,440 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in Iowa?
Correctional Officers and Jailers working in Iowa earn a median salary of $53,040 per year, or about $25.50 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $47,670 while the top 10% make $73,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,920 and $63,370 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,670 | $22.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,920 | $24.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,040 | $25.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,370 | $30.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,530 | $35.35 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 28th 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
California $96,370New 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 $53,580South 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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($53,040) 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 Iowa?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Iowa is $53,040 per year, or about $25.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,670 at the entry level to $73,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 10% less than the national median of $58,940. Iowa ranks 28th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,040 a year. About 3,440 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Correctional Officers and Jailers salary report
Related salaries
$45,660
median pay · 12,000 employed
$66,770
median pay · 50,000 employed
$55,940
median pay · 81,000 employed
$76,400
median pay · 21,000 employed
$56,870
median pay · 3,000 employed
$51,220
median pay · 36,000 employed
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.