Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$79,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+35% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#5 of 49
6,800 employed here

How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in Washington?

Correctional Officers and Jailers working in Washington earn a median salary of $79,460 per year, or about $38.20 per hour. That is 35% above the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $64,460 while the top 10% make $95,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $70,600 and $81,550 a year.

Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$64,460$30.99
25th percentile (early career)$70,600$33.94
50th percentile (median)$79,460$38.20
75th percentile (experienced)$81,550$39.21
90th percentile (top earners)$95,430$45.88

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 5th 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($79,460) 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 Washington?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Washington is $79,460 per year, or about $38.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,460 at the entry level to $95,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 35% more than the national median of $58,940. Washington ranks 5th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,460 a year. About 6,800 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.