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Correctional Officers and Jailers in Pennsylvania

Thinking about a career as a Correctional Officers and Jailers in Pennsylvania? Here’s what the data says. Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

What do Correctional Officers and Jailers Make in Pennsylvania?

For a correctional officers and jailers working in Pennsylvania, the typical annual salary is $63,540 per year (or about $30.55/hour).Pay can range from $44,620 at the 10th percentile to $83,260 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$44,620	$21.45
25th percentile	$50,520	$24.29
Median (50th)	$63,540	$30.55
75th percentile	$76,750	$36.90
90th percentile	$83,260	$40.03

The job concentration index in Pennsylvania relative to the national average — is 1.07.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, correctional officers and jailers earn a median of $59,482 per year ($28.60/hour), higher than the Pennsylvania median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 473,544 correctional officers and jailers nationwide. In Pennsylvania alone, around 15,260 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 4,730 correctional officers and jailers.

Top Pennsylvania Metros for Correctional Officers and Jailers

The metro areas below employ the most correctional officers and jailers in Pennsylvania.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	5,410	$64,520
Pittsburgh, PA	1,220	$61,150
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA	850	$66,460
State College, PA	770	$63,540
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA	730	$61,530
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	520	$52,060
Erie, PA	420	$57,510
Johnstown, PA	180	$56,240
Lancaster, PA	180	$55,670

Top States for Correctional Officers and Jailers Employment

These states have the highest employment of correctional officers and jailers work.

State	Number Employed
Texas	39,150
California	37,760
New York	29,710
Florida	22,390
Pennsylvania	15,260
Arizona	13,840
Ohio	12,350
Illinois	12,210
North Carolina	11,780
Virginia	11,720
Georgia	10,090
Michigan	8,200
New Jersey	7,840
Tennessee	7,610
Louisiana	7,290
Colorado	6,900
Indiana	6,870
Washington	6,470
Wisconsin	6,290
Maryland	5,950

Highest-Paying States for Correctional Officers and Jailers

These states pay the most for correctional officers and jailers.

State	Annual Median Salary
California	$95,840
New Jersey	$90,150
Oregon	$83,120
Massachusetts	$78,830
Illinois	$78,750
Nevada	$76,800
Washington	$76,400
New York	$75,330
Wisconsin	$74,490
Alaska	$71,360

Skills

The most important correctional officers and jailers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Top abilities for correctional officers and jailers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
• Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
• Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
• Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
• Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
• Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
• Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
• Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
• Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
• Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment, such as a computer.
• Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
• Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.

Work Activities

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Getting Information
• Training and Teaching Others
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat

Related Careers

Related occupations to correctional officers and jailers include:

• Medical and Health Services Managers
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Coroners
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Also Known As

Booking Officer, Certified Detention Deputy, Civilian Jail Officer, Community Corrections Officer (CCO), Community Services Officer (CSO), Confinement Officer, Convict Guard, Correction Officer, Correctional Guard, Correctional Monitor, Correctional Officer, Correctional Officer Specialist, Correctional Security Officer, Corrections Corporal, Corrections Officer (CO).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 33-3012.00