Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Wisconsin
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Wisconsin earn a median of $73,470 a year ($35.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,140 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $58,940. Wisconsin ranks 9th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 2.5 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,540 | $27.18 |
| 25th percentile | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Median | $73,470 | $35.32 |
| 75th percentile | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,140 | $44.30 |
| Average (mean) | $73,690 | $35.43 |
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 | $6,122.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,061.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,825.77 |
| Weekly | $1,412.88 |
| Hourly | $35.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $78,670 | n/a |
| Green Bay, WI | $76,250 | 420 |
| Madison, WI | $76,250 | 610 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $75,480 | 400 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $69,640 | 2,670 |
| Appleton, WI | $65,540 | 120 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $63,910 | 1,020 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,390 | 450 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $59,670 | 80 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $57,280 | 80 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,090 | $37.55 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,040 | $43.77 |
| Bailiff | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $89,110 | $42.84 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| Security Guard | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Firefighter | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,310 | $40.05 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $96,260 | $46.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Wisconsin is $73,470 a year, or $35.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Wisconsin earn at least $92,140 a year. The top 25% earn $84,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,540 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $62,550 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Wisconsin?
About 7,360 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.