South Carolina Median
$47,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#41 of 49
4,870 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in South Carolina?
Correctional Officers and Jailers working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $47,890 per year, or about $23.02 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $40,090 while the top 10% make $71,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,790 and $58,530 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,090 | $19.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,790 | $21.05 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,890 | $23.02 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,530 | $28.14 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,390 | $34.32 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 41st 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 $47,940Georgia $47,520Alabama $46,660Oklahoma $45,690Missouri $42,620Kentucky $42,310Arkansas $40,330Louisiana $39,850Mississippi $38,720
Working as Correctional Officers and Jailers in South 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 South Carolina pay ($47,890) 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 South Carolina?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in South Carolina is $47,890 per year, or about $23.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,090 at the entry level to $71,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 19% less than the national median of $58,940. South Carolina ranks 41st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,890 a year. About 4,870 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.