Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Mississippi
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Mississippi earn a median of $38,720 a year ($18.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,580 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $58,940. Mississippi ranks 49th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 3.5 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| 25th percentile | $30,730 | $14.78 |
| Median | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| 75th percentile | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,580 | $26.72 |
| Average (mean) | $40,550 | $19.49 |
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 | $3,226.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,613.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,489.23 |
| Weekly | $744.62 |
| Hourly | $18.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,210 | 1,370 |
| Jackson, MS | $47,010 | 960 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $38,720 | 110 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $35,480 | 190 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Bailiff | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $27,550 | $13.24 |
| Security Guard | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| Firefighter | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| School Bus Monitor | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,440 | $11.75 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,360 | $17.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Mississippi is $38,720 a year, or $18.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Mississippi earn at least $55,580 a year. The top 25% earn $44,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,540 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $30,730 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Mississippi?
About 4,040 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.