Pennsylvania Median
$63,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#18 of 49
15,560 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in Pennsylvania?
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Pennsylvania take home a median of $63,460 annually — roughly $30.51 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $58,940.
Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $46,840 while the top 10% make $85,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,500 and $79,390 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,840 | $22.52 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,500 | $24.28 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,460 | $30.51 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $79,390 | $38.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,630 | $41.17 |
|
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania ranks 18th 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 $64,020Nebraska $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 $42,620Kentucky $42,310Arkansas $40,330Louisiana $39,850Mississippi $38,720
Working as Correctional Officers and Jailers in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania pay ($63,460) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Pennsylvania is $63,460 per year, or about $30.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,840 at the entry level to $85,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 8% more than the national median of $58,940. Pennsylvania ranks 18th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Yes on pay — Pennsylvania pays above the national median for this occupation, at $63,460 a year. About 15,560 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in Pennsylvania. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.