Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Massachusetts
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Massachusetts earn a median of $86,310 a year ($41.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,620 for the top 10%. That is 46% higher than the national median of $58,940. Massachusetts ranks 3rd of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.7 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $82,890, close to the median.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| 25th percentile | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| Median | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| 75th percentile | $91,980 | $44.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,620 | $48.86 |
| Average (mean) | $82,890 | $39.85 |
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 | $7,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,596.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,319.62 |
| Weekly | $1,659.81 |
| Hourly | $41.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $91,980 | 640 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $89,060 | 4,510 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $84,610 | 180 |
| Springfield, MA | $69,650 | 540 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,150 | $52.96 |
| Bailiff | $86,730 | $41.70 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| Security Guard | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Firefighter | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $50.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Massachusetts is $86,310 a year, or $41.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Massachusetts earn at least $101,620 a year. The top 25% earn $91,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,520 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $71,280 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Massachusetts?
About 6,360 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.