Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Kentucky
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Kentucky earn a median of $42,310 a year ($20.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,820 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $58,940. Kentucky ranks 46th 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 $44,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,910 | $14.38 |
| 25th percentile | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Median | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| 75th percentile | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Average (mean) | $44,870 | $21.57 |
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 | $3,525.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,762.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,627.31 |
| Weekly | $813.65 |
| Hourly | $20.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,460 | 1,610 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $51,510 | 700 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $50,390 | 400 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,260 | 200 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,330 | 880 |
| Owensboro, KY | $41,120 | 90 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $41,100 | 240 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,120 | 50 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Bailiff | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Security Guard | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Firefighter | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Kentucky is $42,310 a year, or $20.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Kentucky earn at least $61,820 a year. The top 25% earn $50,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,910 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $36,480 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Kentucky?
About 6,770 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.