Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in New Jersey (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$94,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+61% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#2 of 49
7,570 employed here

How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in New Jersey?

Correctional Officers and Jailers in New Jersey take home a median of $94,770 annually — roughly $45.56 an hour — which runs 61% above the national median of $58,940.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $51,410 while the top 10% make $106,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,420 and $106,570 a year.

Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$51,410$24.72
25th percentile (early career)$72,420$34.82
50th percentile (median)$94,770$45.56
75th percentile (experienced)$106,570$51.24
90th percentile (top earners)$106,570$51.24

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 2nd 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($94,770) 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 New Jersey?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in New Jersey is $94,770 per year, or about $45.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,410 at the entry level to $106,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 61% more than the national median of $58,940. New Jersey ranks 2nd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $94,770 a year. About 7,570 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.