Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Richmond, VA
Correctional Officers and Jailers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $51,660 a year ($24.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,980 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $58,940. Pay here is 3% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $50,140. There are 2.9 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| 25th percentile | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Median | $51,660 | $24.84 |
| 75th percentile | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Average (mean) | $55,660 | $26.76 |
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 | $4,305 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,152.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,986.92 |
| Weekly | $993.46 |
| Hourly | $24.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $70,570 | 3,200 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $54,390 | 130 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $52,700 | 300 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $50,950 | 100 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $50,170 | 150 |
| Roanoke, VA | $50,070 | 270 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,900 | 1,520 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,290 | 300 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,440 | 430 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $47,850 | 260 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,080 | $43.79 |
| Bailiff | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Security Guard | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Firefighter | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $100,210 | $48.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,440 | $32.43 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.06 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| Animal Control Worker | $49,010 | $23.56 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $51,660 a year, or $24.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $74,980 a year. The top 25% earn $60,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,320 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $47,200 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Richmond, VA?
About 1,930 correctional officers and jailers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.