National Salary Overview
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Median Salary
$59,549
Average (Mean)
$60,857
Employed Nationwide
378,660
VS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Median Salary
$74,180
Average (Mean)
$75,124
Employed Nationwide
670,500
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $14,631 more (24.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$59,549
$74,180
Average (Mean) Salary
$60,857
$75,124
Total Employment
378,660
670,500
States with Higher Pay
2
47
Salary by State: Correctional Officers and Jailers vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Correctional Officers and Jailers pays more in 2 states; Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 47.
| State | Correctional Officers and Jailers | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,660 | $51,270 | $-4,610 | ||
| Alaska | $71,360 | $99,130 | $-27,770 | ||
| Arizona | $54,970 | $78,880 | $-23,910 | ||
| Arkansas | $40,330 | $47,670 | $-7,340 | ||
| California | $96,370 | $118,880 | $-22,510 | ||
| Colorado | $62,140 | $97,350 | $-35,210 | ||
| Connecticut | $64,750 | $82,170 | $-17,420 | ||
| Delaware | $65,880 | $92,970 | $-27,090 | ||
| Florida | $49,710 | $74,470 | $-24,760 | ||
| Georgia | $47,520 | $58,120 | $-10,600 | ||
| Hawaii | $69,570 | $83,820 | $-14,250 | ||
| Idaho | $53,580 | $66,990 | $-13,410 | ||
| Illinois | $79,190 | $100,520 | $-21,330 | ||
| Indiana | $48,340 | $73,370 | $-25,030 | ||
| Iowa | $53,040 | $74,470 | $-21,430 | ||
| Kansas | $56,120 | $59,230 | $-3,110 | ||
| Kentucky | $42,310 | $60,490 | $-18,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $39,850 | $48,380 | $-8,530 | ||
| Maine | $52,730 | $67,050 | $-14,320 | ||
| Maryland | $64,250 | $77,970 | $-13,720 | ||
| Massachusetts | $86,310 | $78,940 | +$7,370 | ||
| Michigan | $64,020 | $73,730 | $-9,710 | ||
| Minnesota | $66,040 | $83,360 | $-17,320 | ||
| Mississippi | $38,720 | $46,140 | $-7,420 | ||
| Missouri | $42,620 | $59,460 | $-16,840 | ||
| Montana | $49,180 | $70,050 | $-20,870 | ||
| Nebraska | $63,380 | $74,620 | $-11,240 | ||
| Nevada | $76,490 | $78,140 | $-1,650 | ||
| New Hampshire | $61,360 | $71,640 | $-10,280 | ||
| New Jersey | $94,770 | $92,610 | +$2,160 | ||
| New Mexico | $47,940 | $69,180 | $-21,240 | ||
| New York | $76,820 | $92,790 | $-15,970 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,550 | $59,300 | $-8,750 | ||
| North Dakota | $52,460 | $74,500 | $-22,040 | ||
| Ohio | $59,370 | $77,020 | $-17,650 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,690 | $59,700 | $-14,010 | ||
| Oregon | $83,690 | $88,140 | $-4,450 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $63,460 | $85,470 | $-22,010 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,890 | $58,070 | $-10,180 | ||
| South Dakota | $53,040 | $60,740 | $-7,700 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,940 | $59,280 | $-8,340 | ||
| Texas | $52,670 | $75,900 | $-23,230 | ||
| Utah | $67,290 | $77,310 | $-10,020 | ||
| Vermont | $53,810 | $68,910 | $-15,100 | ||
| Virginia | $50,140 | $65,870 | $-15,730 | ||
| Washington | $79,460 | $102,080 | $-22,620 | ||
| West Virginia | $52,890 | $56,960 | $-4,070 | ||
| Wisconsin | $73,470 | $78,090 | $-4,620 | ||
| Wyoming | $54,780 | $66,140 | $-11,360 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Correctional Officers and Jailers vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Correctional Officers and Jailers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
On average across all states, a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns more than a Correctional Officers and Jailers. The national median salary difference is $14,631 (24.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Correctional Officers and Jailers earn more than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
A Correctional Officers and Jailers earns a higher median salary than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in 2 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 47 states.
What is the median salary for a Correctional Officers and Jailers vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
The national median salary for a Correctional Officers and Jailers is $59,549 per year, compared to $74,180 for a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Correctional Officers and Jailers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
There are more people employed as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers. BLS reports approximately 378,660 Correctional Officers and Jailers positions and 670,500 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Correctional Officers and Jailers or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Both Correctional Officers and Jailers and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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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