
The salary of a correctional officer varies largely from state to state and the level of experience possessed. Let’s have a closer look at the job profile and salary details.
There are many jobs that are related to the law enforcement sector, and a job as a correctional officer is considered to be one of them. A correctional officer is also known as a detention officer and prison warder. They work in prisons, jails, and detention facilities; be it at a local, state, or federal level. They are responsible for the supervision of people who are taken into custody and are awaiting trail, or have been sentenced to serve time in prison. They are also responsible for the safety and security of the prison inmates. The uniform of a correctional officer is similar to that of a police officer.
Responsibilities
A correctional officer has to maintain the highest standard of order and discipline in the facility he is employed in. He has to make sure that all inmates follow the set rules and regulations of the prison. He also has to check that there are no banned material or items present in the prison or with the jail inmates. He examines the cells for any harmful material which can be used against officers. He may have to transport the prisoners from the facility to the court of law for cases or for a medical checkup, and back to the prison facility again. He has to be skilled in handling situations such as hostage, riots, escapes, and fights among the inmates. He needs to keep a close eye on the prisoners and the visitors they meet. Ensuring the safety of the visitors and inmates is also one of the key duties to be carried out.
Salary
The salary depends on aspects such as the level of experience and the state and city of employment. Individuals with less than a year’s experience can expect a yearly pay of around $25,000 to $35,000, whereas, those with one to fours years of experience may get a salary of approximately $30,000 to $40,000 per annum. If you have work experience of five to nine years, the salary ranges from $35,000 to $50,000. Likewise, the pay keeps on increasing as per the level of experience in the field.
Another major factor that has an extreme impact on the pay scale is the state and city of employment. At present, New Jersey is the highest paid state for correctional officers, with a yearly salary range of about $35,000 to $75,000. The state of California is the second highest, with the average salary range between $35,000 to $70,000 per annum, approximately. The pay is also very good in New York, the salary ranging between $35,000 to $65,000 per year; and Pennsylvania being $30,000 to $45,000 annually.