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Occupation · SOC 33-3012

Correctional Officers and Jailers

There are 380,500 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $58,940 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Protective ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
380,500
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$58,940
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,640–$75,850
28,400
Annual openings
10-year change: −7.4%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 280 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $93,220 · LCA filings 014,730$93,2200
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $57,280 · LCA filings 08,920$57,2800
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $53,810 · LCA filings 08,650$53,8100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $78,770 · LCA filings 06,070$78,7700
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $67,200 · LCA filings 05,570$67,2000
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $58,930 · LCA filings 05,170$58,9300
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $66,770 · LCA filings 05,010$66,7700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $84,550 · LCA filings 04,940$84,5500
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $94,730 · LCA filings 04,800$94,7300
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $89,060 · LCA filings 04,510$89,0600

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,050 · LCA filings 0$132,6701,0500
Salinas, CAEmployment 1,510 · LCA filings 0$109,6201,5100
Bakersfield–Delano, CAEmployment 3,280 · LCA filings 0$107,2203,2800
Stockton–Lodi, CAEmployment 1,220 · LCA filings 0$107,2201,2200
San Luis Obispo–Paso Robles, CAEmployment 710 · LCA filings 0$107,2207100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $73,861 · Level III $85,134 · Level IV $96,408$62,587$73,861$85,134$96,408
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $52,770 · Level III $57,179 · Level IV $61,610$48,339$52,770$57,179$61,610
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $51,064 · Level III $54,309 · Level IV $57,574$47,798$51,064$54,309$57,574
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $74,755 · Level III $83,013 · Level IV $91,270$66,498$74,755$83,013$91,270
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $60,611 · Level III $69,347 · Level IV $78,062$51,896$60,611$69,347$78,062
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $53,914 · Level III $58,282 · Level IV $62,650$49,546$53,914$58,282$62,650
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $59,821 · Level III $70,554 · Level IV $81,266$49,109$59,821$70,554$81,266
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $71,074 · Level III $80,350 · Level IV $89,627$61,797$71,074$80,350$89,627
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $77,397 · Level III $90,168 · Level IV $102,939$64,626$77,397$90,168$102,939
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $76,544 · Level III $84,698 · Level IV $92,851$68,390$76,544$84,698$92,851

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCIP 43.01OPT · up to 12 months800OPT · up to 12 months
CriminologyCIP 45.04OPT · up to 12 months174OPT · up to 12 months

See Correctional Officers and Jailers in every metro area

All 280 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Protective Service

Security GuardsPolice and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersLifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersFirefightersProtective Service Workers, All OtherCrossing Guards and FlaggersSchool Bus MonitorsFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology