When people start considering a job in corrections, one of the first areas that they are most likely to investigate, and rightfully so, is the income-earning potential of becoming a correctional officer.

Because there are various job titles and positions associated with the field of corrections, you have to first determine at what level you will be entering into the field.

To put it simply, if you are just starting out your career and have limited to no experience, then your salary level would be considerably less than someone with a number of years of experience in law enforcement, a degree in criminal justice, or possibly a military background.

Think about all of the jobs that you can get with just a high school education or a GED. Now think about how many jobs within law enforcement you could qualify for. Becoming a correctional officer is one of the best career decisions you can make if you are looking for a career in law enforcement.

It is a great way to get your “foot in the door” so to speak, into law enforcement, into the federal, state, and local workforce, and with that comes a government retirement, great benefits, and the potential for incentive and overtime pay.

So let’s get to the bottom line, which is, “How much can a correctional officer make in salary?” According to the BLS, a correction officer can expect to make on average in the range of $39,000.

As you can clearly see, it is more than possible for someone interested in a career as a correctional officer to be hired, with no previous experience, and receive paid training, great benefits, and make nearly $40k a year starting out, that’s not too bad of a deal.

So begin your correctional officer training today!