Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Arkansas
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Arkansas earn a median of $40,330 a year ($19.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $58,940. Arkansas ranks 47th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 3.4 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $36,330 | $17.46 |
| Median | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| 75th percentile | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Average (mean) | $41,920 | $20.15 |
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 | $3,360.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,680.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,551.15 |
| Weekly | $775.58 |
| Hourly | $19.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,210 | 1,370 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $51,310 | 660 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,710 | 420 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $43,370 | 140 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $41,960 | 610 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $33,790 | 130 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Bailiff | $45,090 | $21.68 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $72,200 | $34.71 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| Security Guard | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Firefighter | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,000 | $12.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Arkansas is $40,330 a year, or $19.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Arkansas earn at least $49,360 a year. The top 25% earn $45,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $36,330 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Arkansas?
About 4,460 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.