Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Alabama
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Alabama earn a median of $46,660 a year ($22.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,290 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $58,940. Alabama ranks 43rd of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 2.4 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,430 | $14.63 |
| 25th percentile | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Median | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| 75th percentile | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| Average (mean) | $50,300 | $24.18 |
Half of correctional officers and jailers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,888.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,944.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,794.62 |
| Weekly | $897.31 |
| Hourly | $22.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $64,690 | 300 |
| Birmingham, AL | $57,570 | 870 |
| Montgomery, AL | $55,360 | 970 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $50,230 | n/a |
| Dothan, AL | $45,900 | 100 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $45,170 | 70 |
| Huntsville, AL | $44,800 | 410 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $43,490 | 260 |
| Decatur, AL | $38,770 | 170 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $35,900 | 80 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $34,280 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for correctional officers and jailers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $96,370 |
| New Jersey | $94,770 |
| Massachusetts | $86,310 |
| Oregon | $83,690 |
| Washington | $79,460 |
| Illinois | $79,190 |
| New York | $76,820 |
| Nevada | $76,490 |
| Wisconsin | $73,470 |
| Alaska | $71,360 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| Bailiff | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Security Guard | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| Firefighter | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $86,350 | $41.51 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a correctional officers and jailers make in Alabama?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Alabama is $46,660 a year, or $22.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Alabama?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Alabama earn at least $74,290 a year. The top 25% earn $64,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,430 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $35,900 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Alabama?
About 4,970 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.