California pays correctional officers and jailers more than any other state — its $95,840 median leads all 50 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
California employs roughly 10.3% of all correctional officers and jailers in the country (37,760 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| 25th percentile | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $95,840 | $46.08 |
| 75th percentile | $106,380 | $51.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,380 | $53.55 |
| Mean (average) | $91,470 | $43.98 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $95,840 | n/a |
| New Jersey | $90,150 | -6% |
| Oregon | $83,120 | -13% |
| Massachusetts | $78,830 | -18% |
| Illinois | $78,750 | -18% |
| Nevada | $76,800 | -20% |
| Washington | $76,400 | -20% |
| New York | $75,330 | -21% |
| Wisconsin | $74,490 | -22% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $96,360 | 173,370 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $96,820 | 46,530 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $96,920 | 11,030 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $96,950 | 11,110 |
| Chemists | $97,010 | 8,480 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,080 | 72,660 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in California?
The mean correctional officers and jailers salary in California is $91,470 per year. The median (middle) salary is $95,840 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Correctional Officers and Jailers in California?
Entry-level correctional officers and jailerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $62,880 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $78,340 per year.
What is the highest Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $111,380 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $106,380 per year.
How does the California Correctional Officers and Jailers salary compare to the national average?
The median correctional officers and jailers salary in California is $95,840, which is +65% above national average of $57,970.