South Carolina ranks 38th of 50 states and D.C. for correctional officers and jailers pay, trailing top-paying California ($95,840) by $47,370 — a 98% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $41,640 to $69,810 — a $28,170 spread, 45% tighter than the national $51,250 range.
South Carolina employs roughly 1.4% of all correctional officers and jailers in the country (4,940 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $41,640 | $20.02 |
| 25th percentile | $42,670 | $20.51 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,470 | $23.30 |
| 75th percentile | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Mean (average) | $50,740 | $24.39 |
How South Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (current) | $48,470 | n/a |
| California | $95,840 | +98% |
| New Jersey | $90,150 | +86% |
| Oregon | $83,120 | +71% |
| Massachusetts | $78,830 | +63% |
| Illinois | $78,750 | +62% |
| Nevada | $76,800 | +58% |
| Washington | $76,400 | +58% |
| New York | $75,330 | +55% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $48,470 | 990 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,540 | 940 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $48,640 | 7,260 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,210 | 2,020 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,050 | 610 |
| Carpenters | $48,910 | 7,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in South Carolina?
The mean correctional officers and jailers salary in South Carolina is $50,740 per year. The median (middle) salary is $48,470 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Correctional Officers and Jailers in South Carolina?
Entry-level correctional officers and jailerss (10th percentile) in South Carolina typically earn around $41,640 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $42,670 per year.
What is the highest Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in South Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Carolina make approximately $69,810 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $55,850 per year.
How does the South Carolina Correctional Officers and Jailers salary compare to the national average?
The median correctional officers and jailers salary in South Carolina is $48,470, which is -16% below national average of $57,970.