Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in New Jersey
Correctional Officers and Jailers in New Jersey earn a median of $94,770 a year ($45.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,570 for the top 10%. That is 61% higher than the national median of $58,940. New Jersey ranks 2nd of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $87,780, close to the median.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,410 | $24.72 |
| 25th percentile | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| Median | $94,770 | $45.56 |
| 75th percentile | $106,570 | $51.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,570 | $51.23 |
| Average (mean) | $87,780 | $42.20 |
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 | $7,897.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,948.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,645 |
| Weekly | $1,822.50 |
| Hourly | $45.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Vineland, NJ | $106,570 | 1,090 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $93,220 | 14,730 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,200 | 5,570 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $63,820 | 220 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,990 | 520 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,610 | $44.53 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $116,300 | $55.92 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,920 | $21.11 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $106,290 | $51.10 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| Bailiff | $43,690 | $21.00 |
| Security Guard | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $142,990 | $68.75 |
| Firefighter | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,210 | $64.04 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in New Jersey is $94,770 a year, or $45.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in New Jersey earn at least $106,570 a year. The top 25% earn $106,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,410 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $72,420 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in New Jersey?
About 7,570 correctional officers and jailers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.