Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Correctional Officers and Jailers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $53,210 a year ($25.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,790 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $58,940. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $50,940. There are 2.2 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| 25th percentile | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Median | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| 75th percentile | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Average (mean) | $54,710 | $26.30 |
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 | $4,434.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,217.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,046.54 |
| Weekly | $1,023.27 |
| Hourly | $25.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,210 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $52,040 | 720 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $51,310 | 660 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $50,940 | 2,040 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $49,430 | 310 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,440 | 430 |
| Jackson, MS | $47,010 | 960 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,710 | 420 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,260 | 200 |
| Jackson, TN | $45,770 | 140 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $43,370 | 140 |
| Morristown, TN | $43,060 | 100 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $41,960 | 610 |
| Johnson City, TN | $40,570 | 60 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $38,720 | 110 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $35,480 | 190 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $33,790 | 130 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| Security Guard | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Firefighter | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,260 | $13.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $99,680 | $47.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $53,210 a year, or $25.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $62,790 a year. The top 25% earn $62,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,250 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $49,560 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,370 correctional officers and jailers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.