Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Lake Charles, LA
Correctional Officers and Jailers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $39,960 a year ($19.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,560 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $58,940. Pay here is about the same as the Louisiana statewide median of $39,850. There are 0.75 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $43,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 25th percentile | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Median | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| 75th percentile | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,560 | $26.23 |
| Average (mean) | $43,020 | $20.68 |
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 | $3,330 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,665 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,536.92 |
| Weekly | $768.46 |
| Hourly | $19.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $72,920 | 420 |
| Lafayette, LA | $46,370 | 440 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,920 | 2,180 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $44,080 | 270 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $40,490 | 560 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $38,710 | 220 |
| Monroe, LA | $34,090 | 370 |
| Hammond, LA | $29,320 | 160 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,290 | $27.06 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Security Guard | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Firefighter | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,210 | $12.12 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $51,040 | $24.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Animal Control Worker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $39,960 a year, or $19.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $54,560 a year. The top 25% earn $45,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,580 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $39,420 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 80 correctional officers and jailers are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.