Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in California
Correctional Officers and Jailers in California earn a median of $96,370 a year ($46.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 37,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,730 for the top 10%. That is 64% higher than the national median of $58,940. California ranks 1st of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.1 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,410, close to the median.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| 25th percentile | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Median | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| 75th percentile | $109,580 | $52.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,730 | $55.16 |
| Average (mean) | $92,410 | $44.43 |
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 | $8,030.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,015.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,706.54 |
| Weekly | $1,853.27 |
| Hourly | $46.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $132,670 | 1,050 |
| Salinas, CA | $109,620 | 1,510 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $107,220 | 3,280 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $107,220 | 710 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $107,220 | 1,220 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,880 | 1,500 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $94,740 | 470 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $94,730 | 4,800 |
| Fresno, CA | $94,010 | 2,660 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $89,730 | 1,920 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $80,950 | 120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,770 | 6,070 |
| Merced, CA | $78,370 | 270 |
| Redding, CA | $57,960 | 110 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $109,650 | $52.71 |
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in California is $96,370 a year, or $46.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in California?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in California earn at least $114,730 a year. The top 25% earn $109,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,380 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $76,370 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in California?
About 37,860 correctional officers and jailers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.