Kentucky Median
$42,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.34
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#46 of 49
6,770 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in Kentucky?
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Kentucky take home a median of $42,310 annually — roughly $20.34 an hour — which runs 28% below the national median of $58,940.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $29,910 while the top 10% make $61,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,480 and $50,310 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,910 | $14.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,480 | $17.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,310 | $20.34 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $50,310 | $24.19 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,820 | $29.72 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 46th 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 $53,580Iowa $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 $42,620Arkansas $40,330Louisiana $39,850Mississippi $38,720
Working as Correctional Officers and Jailers in Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($42,310) 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 Kentucky?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Kentucky is $42,310 per year, or about $20.34 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,910 at the entry level to $61,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 28% less than the national median of $58,940. Kentucky ranks 46th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $42,310 a year. About 6,770 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.