Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Correctional Officers and Jailers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $49,430 a year ($23.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,020 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $58,940. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $50,940. There are 1.2 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $48,930, close to the median.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 25th percentile | $44,040 | $21.18 |
| Median | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| 75th percentile | $53,700 | $25.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,020 | $26.45 |
| Average (mean) | $48,930 | $23.53 |
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 | $4,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,059.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,901.15 |
| Weekly | $950.58 |
| Hourly | $23.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | $54,010 | 290 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $53,390 | 580 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,210 | 1,370 |
| Knoxville, TN | $52,040 | 720 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $50,940 | 2,040 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $49,590 | 140 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $49,380 | 2,910 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $48,810 | 410 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,730 | 210 |
| Savannah, GA | $48,450 | 300 |
| Valdosta, GA | $48,450 | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,440 | 430 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $47,900 | 80 |
| Hinesville, GA | $47,800 | 100 |
| Dalton, GA | $47,440 | 110 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $46,930 | 180 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,260 | 200 |
| Jackson, TN | $45,770 | 140 |
| Morristown, TN | $43,060 | 100 |
| Johnson City, TN | $40,570 | 60 |
| Rome, GA | $38,440 | 150 |
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 |
See Correctional Officers and Jailers pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $74,600 | $35.87 |
| Security Guard | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Firefighter | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,980 | $31.24 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $49,430 a year, or $23.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $55,020 a year. The top 25% earn $53,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,310 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $44,040 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 310 correctional officers and jailers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.