Virginia Median
$50,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#36 of 49
11,270 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in Virginia?
Correctional Officers and Jailers working in Virginia earn a median salary of $50,140 per year, or about $24.11 per hour. That is 15% below the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $46,320 while the top 10% make $70,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,570 and $59,030 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,570 | $22.87 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,140 | $24.11 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,030 | $28.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,570 | $33.93 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 36th 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 $50,550Florida $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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($50,140) 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 Virginia?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Virginia is $50,140 per year, or about $24.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,320 at the entry level to $70,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 15% less than the national median of $58,940. Virginia ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,140 a year. About 11,270 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.