Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in West Virginia
Correctional Officers and Jailers in West Virginia earn a median of $52,890 a year ($25.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,610 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $58,940. West Virginia ranks 30th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 4.2 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| 25th percentile | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Median | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| 75th percentile | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| Average (mean) | $56,670 | $27.24 |
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 | $4,407.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,203.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,034.23 |
| Weekly | $1,017.12 |
| Hourly | $25.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $70,570 | 3,200 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $64,250 | 890 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $59,240 | 440 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $54,390 | 130 |
| Beckley, WV | $53,140 | 450 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $50,390 | 400 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Bailiff | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Security Guard | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Firefighter | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,670 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,410 | $22.31 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in West Virginia is $52,890 a year, or $25.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in West Virginia earn at least $75,610 a year. The top 25% earn $59,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,390 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $49,730 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in West Virginia?
About 2,980 correctional officers and jailers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.