Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Texas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$52,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#32 of 49
44,700 employed here

How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in Texas?

Correctional Officers and Jailers working in Texas earn a median salary of $52,670 per year, or about $25.32 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $44,870 while the top 10% make $60,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,880 and $57,330 a year.

Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,870$21.57
25th percentile (early career)$48,880$23.50
50th percentile (median)$52,670$25.32
75th percentile (experienced)$57,330$27.56
90th percentile (top earners)$60,550$29.11

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 32nd 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($52,670) 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 Texas?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Texas is $52,670 per year, or about $25.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,870 at the entry level to $60,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 11% less than the national median of $58,940. Texas ranks 32nd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,670 a year. About 44,700 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.