Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in South Carolina
Correctional Officers and Jailers in South Carolina earn a median of $47,890 a year ($23.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,390 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $58,940. South Carolina ranks 41st of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 2.1 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| 25th percentile | $43,790 | $21.06 |
| Median | $47,890 | $23.02 |
| 75th percentile | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,390 | $34.32 |
| Average (mean) | $51,520 | $24.77 |
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 | $3,990.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,995.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,841.92 |
| Weekly | $920.96 |
| Hourly | $23.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $58,950 | 280 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $57,100 | 100 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $54,600 | 1,690 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $53,390 | 580 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $52,300 | 450 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $47,240 | 540 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $46,640 | 380 |
| Columbia, SC | $44,860 | 1,260 |
| Florence, SC | $38,500 | 150 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Bailiff | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Security Guard | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Firefighter | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,530 | $24.78 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in South Carolina is $47,890 a year, or $23.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in South Carolina earn at least $71,390 a year. The top 25% earn $58,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,090 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $43,790 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in South Carolina?
About 4,870 correctional officers and jailers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.