North Carolina Median
$50,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#35 of 49
11,900 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in North Carolina?
Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Carolina take home a median of $50,550 annually — roughly $24.30 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $58,940.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,850 while the top 10% make $63,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,460 and $54,680 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,850 | $18.68 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,460 | $21.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,550 | $24.30 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $54,680 | $26.29 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,150 | $30.36 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 35th 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 $50,940Virginia $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($50,550) 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 North Carolina?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in North Carolina is $50,550 per year, or about $24.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,850 at the entry level to $63,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 14% less than the national median of $58,940. North Carolina ranks 35th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,550 a year. About 11,900 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.