National Salary Overview
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Median Salary
$59,549
Average (Mean)
$60,857
Employed Nationwide
378,660
VS
Correctional Officers and Jailers earns $1,998 more (3.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$59,549
$57,551
Average (Mean) Salary
$60,857
$59,079
Total Employment
378,660
343,370
States with Higher Pay
29
18
Salary by State: Correctional Officers and Jailers vs Firefighters
Showing 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. Correctional Officers and Jailers pays more in 29 states; Firefighters pays more in 18.
| State | Correctional Officers and Jailers | Firefighters | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,660 | $47,600 | $-940 | ||
| Alaska | $71,360 | $58,830 | +$12,530 | ||
| Arizona | $54,970 | $59,280 | $-4,310 | ||
| Arkansas | $40,330 | $39,690 | +$640 | ||
| California | $96,370 | $85,120 | +$11,250 | ||
| Colorado | $62,140 | $74,170 | $-12,030 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,750 | $77,630 | $-12,880 | ||
| Delaware | $65,880 | $46,710 | +$19,170 | ||
| Florida | $49,710 | $58,550 | $-8,840 | ||
| Georgia | $47,520 | $46,550 | +$970 | ||
| Idaho | $53,580 | $47,320 | +$6,260 | ||
| Illinois | $79,190 | $78,380 | +$810 | ||
| Indiana | $48,340 | $62,780 | $-14,440 | ||
| Iowa | $53,040 | $55,810 | $-2,770 | ||
| Kansas | $56,120 | $45,900 | +$10,220 | ||
| Kentucky | $42,310 | $37,150 | +$5,160 | ||
| Louisiana | $39,850 | $33,120 | +$6,730 | ||
| Maine | $52,730 | $48,290 | +$4,440 | ||
| Maryland | $64,250 | $73,810 | $-9,560 | ||
| Massachusetts | $86,310 | $72,800 | +$13,510 | ||
| Michigan | $64,020 | $54,640 | +$9,380 | ||
| Minnesota | $66,040 | $38,110 | +$27,930 | ||
| Mississippi | $38,720 | $35,880 | +$2,840 | ||
| Missouri | $42,620 | $49,080 | $-6,460 | ||
| Montana | $49,180 | $59,310 | $-10,130 | ||
| Nebraska | $63,380 | $61,040 | +$2,340 | ||
| Nevada | $76,490 | $66,570 | +$9,920 | ||
| New Hampshire | $61,360 | $56,620 | +$4,740 | ||
| New Jersey | $94,770 | $84,130 | +$10,640 | ||
| New Mexico | $47,940 | $41,590 | +$6,350 | ||
| New York | $76,820 | $100,960 | $-24,140 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,550 | $37,940 | +$12,610 | ||
| North Dakota | $52,460 | $55,080 | $-2,620 | ||
| Ohio | $59,370 | $59,370 | $0 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,690 | $49,710 | $-4,020 | ||
| Oregon | $83,690 | $70,900 | +$12,790 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,460 | $73,460 | $-10,000 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,890 | $42,570 | +$5,320 | ||
| South Dakota | $53,040 | $48,160 | +$4,880 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,940 | $49,300 | +$1,640 | ||
| Texas | $52,670 | $60,180 | $-7,510 | ||
| Utah | $67,290 | $48,310 | +$18,980 | ||
| Vermont | $53,810 | $46,430 | +$7,380 | ||
| Virginia | $50,140 | $58,670 | $-8,530 | ||
| Washington | $79,460 | $94,520 | $-15,060 | ||
| West Virginia | $52,890 | $37,350 | +$15,540 | ||
| Wisconsin | $73,470 | $46,850 | +$26,620 | ||
| Wyoming | $54,780 | $58,090 | $-3,310 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Correctional Officers and Jailers vs Firefighters salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Correctional Officers and Jailers or Firefighters?
On average across all states, a Correctional Officers and Jailers earns more than a Firefighters. The national median salary difference is $1,998 (3.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Correctional Officers and Jailers earn more than a Firefighters?
A Correctional Officers and Jailers earns a higher median salary than a Firefighters in 29 out of 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Firefighters pays more in 18 states.
What is the median salary for a Correctional Officers and Jailers vs Firefighters?
The national median salary for a Correctional Officers and Jailers is $59,549 per year, compared to $57,551 for a Firefighters, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Correctional Officers and Jailers or Firefighters?
There are more people employed as Correctional Officers and Jailers. BLS reports approximately 378,660 Correctional Officers and Jailers positions and 343,370 Firefighters positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Correctional Officers and Jailers or Firefighters?
Both Correctional Officers and Jailers and Firefighters are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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