Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in North Carolina
Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Carolina earn a median of $50,550 a year ($24.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,150 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $58,940. North Carolina ranks 35th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 2.4 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| 25th percentile | $44,460 | $21.37 |
| Median | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| 75th percentile | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Average (mean) | $51,390 | $24.71 |
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 | $4,212.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,106.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,944.23 |
| Weekly | $972.12 |
| Hourly | $24.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $56,610 | 140 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $54,600 | 1,690 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $54,070 | 1,140 |
| Asheville, NC | $50,850 | 280 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $50,550 | 540 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $50,450 | 250 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,900 | 1,520 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,940 | 750 |
| Wilmington, NC | $48,810 | 300 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,740 | 220 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $47,330 | 420 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $43,020 | 60 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,280 | $30.43 |
| Bailiff | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $42,410 | $20.39 |
| Security Guard | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Firefighter | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,730 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,970 | $15.85 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in North Carolina is $50,550 a year, or $24.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in North Carolina earn at least $63,150 a year. The top 25% earn $54,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,850 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $44,460 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in North Carolina?
About 11,900 correctional officers and jailers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.