How much does a first-line supervisor of correctional officers make?
The median first-line supervisor of correctional officers in the United States earns $76,310 per year, about $36.69 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of correctional officers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 33-1011.
First-line supervisor of correctional officers salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of correctional officers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,340 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $125,170. The average (mean) wage of $82,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,340 | $24.20 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $56,890 | $27.35 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,310 | $36.69 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $102,190 | $49.13 | |
| 90th percentile | $125,170 | $60.18 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of correctional officers (SOC 33-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
First-line supervisor of correctional officers salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of correctional officers earn the most in California at $127,380 a year, and the least in Missouri at $45,390. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,380 | 4,520 |
| New Jersey | $110,850 | 1,370 |
| Oregon | $108,060 | 360 |
| Illinois | $106,510 | 3,070 |
| Nevada | $103,230 | 200 |
| Utah | $97,430 | 260 |
| New York | $97,390 | 3,490 |
| Massachusetts | $96,450 | 340 |
| Alaska | $95,120 | 300 |
| Washington | $94,070 | 1,340 |
| Hawaii | $93,840 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $92,480 | 1,510 |
| Wisconsin | $92,410 | 960 |
| Minnesota | $91,790 | 730 |
| Connecticut | $84,040 | 570 |
| New Hampshire | $80,620 | 140 |
| Alabama | $80,570 | 470 |
| Delaware | $79,960 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $79,610 | 330 |
| Ohio | $78,480 | 590 |
| Maryland | $78,280 | 1,660 |
| North Dakota | $76,980 | 110 |
| Michigan | $75,460 | 990 |
| Arizona | $75,400 | 980 |
| South Dakota | $75,320 | 60 |
| Colorado | $74,420 | 800 |
| Iowa | $73,880 | 270 |
| Wyoming | $72,550 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $70,510 | 880 |
| Idaho | $69,720 | 290 |
| Vermont | $69,330 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $68,310 | 310 |
| North Carolina | $66,800 | 1,210 |
| Montana | $65,120 | 190 |
| Virginia | $64,830 | 2,320 |
| Maine | $64,500 | 140 |
| Kansas | $61,730 | 1,040 |
| New Mexico | $61,360 | 580 |
| Texas | $59,590 | 4,460 |
| Louisiana | $59,290 | 1,110 |
| Oklahoma | $57,390 | 540 |
| West Virginia | $56,720 | 220 |
| Indiana | $55,160 | 1,220 |
| Florida | $54,270 | 6,250 |
| Georgia | $54,080 | 2,280 |
| Kentucky | $50,950 | 1,220 |
| Mississippi | $48,830 | 420 |
| Arkansas | $48,620 | 1,620 |
| Missouri | $45,390 | 1,020 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of correctional officers (SOC 33-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for first-line supervisors of correctional officers
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of correctional officers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 56,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 54,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,700 openings a year for first-line supervisors of correctional officers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a first-line supervisor of correctional officers
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of correctional officers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a first-line supervisor of correctional officers earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $127,380) and the lowest (Missouri, $45,390) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 53,390 people work as first-line supervisors of correctional officers in the United States. At $76,310 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of correctional officers salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of correctional officers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of correctional officers is $36.69. The middle half of first-line supervisors of correctional officers earn between $27.35 and $49.13 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of correctional officers salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of correctional officers earn more than $125,170 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of correctional officers make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of correctional officers is $76,310. The average (mean) wage of $82,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a first-line supervisor of correctional officers a well paid job?
At $76,310 a year, a first-line supervisor of correctional officers earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 53,390 people work as first-line supervisors of correctional officers in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of correctional officers the most?
California has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of correctional officers at $127,380 a year. New Jersey ($110,850) and Oregon ($108,060) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a first-line supervisor of correctional officers a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of correctional officers is projected to shrink 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of correctional officers?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of correctional officers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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