Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Pennsylvania
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $63,460 a year ($30.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,630 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $58,940. Pennsylvania ranks 18th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 2.6 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| 25th percentile | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Median | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| 75th percentile | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| Average (mean) | $64,650 | $31.08 |
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 | $5,288.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,644.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,440.77 |
| Weekly | $1,220.38 |
| Hourly | $30.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | $69,400 | 240 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,200 | 5,570 |
| State College, PA | $66,730 | 770 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $63,460 | 760 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $61,800 | 870 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $60,540 | 1,160 |
| Lancaster, PA | $59,430 | 250 |
| Johnstown, PA | $56,450 | 190 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,990 | 520 |
| Erie, PA | $51,250 | 410 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $46.91 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $45,770 | $22.00 |
| Bailiff | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Security Guard | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| Firefighter | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $94,600 | $45.48 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Pennsylvania is $63,460 a year, or $30.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Pennsylvania earn at least $85,630 a year. The top 25% earn $79,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,840 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $50,500 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Pennsylvania?
About 15,560 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.