### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Correctional Officers and Bailiffs Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			correctional officers imageCorrectional officers inspect inmates’ living quarters.							
						Quick Facts:     Correctional Officers and Bailiffs2023     Median Pay
            						$53,290     per year
										$25.62     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    395,700Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -7% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -29,000What Correctional Officers and Bailiffs Do
                                                
                        
                        
Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.
            
                                                How to Become a Correctional Officer or Bailiff
                                                
                        
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically go to a training academy and then are assigned to a facility, where they receive on-the-job training. Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies have an age requirement for correctional officers. Some federal agencies also require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or related work experience.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for bailiffs was $53,040 in May 2023.									                                														The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $53,300 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline							 7 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 30,900 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for correctional officers and bailiffs.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of correctional officers and bailiffs with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Correctional Officers and Bailiffs Do 
            

			Inmate and correctional officer in jail cellCorrectional officers must follow procedures to maintain their personal safety as well as the safety of those they oversee.			
Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs, also known as *marshals* or *court officers*, are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
Duties
Correctional officers typically do the following:
Enforce rules and keep order within jails or prisons
Supervise activities of people in custody
Inspect facilities to ensure that they meet security and safety standards
Conduct searches in the facility, such as of persons and property, for rule violations
Report on the conduct of people in custody
Escort and transport people in custody between jail, courtroom, prison, or other pointBailiffs typically do the following:
Ensure the security of the courtroom
Enforce courtroom rules
Follow court procedures
Escort judges, jurors, witnesses, and people in custody into and out of the courtroom
Handle evidence and deliver court documentsInside the prison or jail, correctional officers enforce rules and regulations. They maintain security by preventing disturbances, assaults, and escapes and by inspecting facilities. They check cells and other areas for unsanitary conditions, contraband, signs of a security breach (such as tampering with window bars and doors), and other rule violations. Officers also inspect mail and visitors for prohibited items. They conduct regular counts of people in custody to ensure that everyone is present. They write reports and fill out daily logs detailing anything of note that occurred during their shift.
Correctional officers may have to restrain people in custody, such as by using handcuffs and leg irons to escort them to and from cells. Officers also escort people in custody to courtrooms, medical facilities, and other destinations.
Bailiffs’ specific duties vary by court, but their primary duty is to maintain order and security in courts of law. They enforce courtroom procedures that protect the integrity of the legal process. For example, they ensure that attorneys and witnesses do not influence juries outside of the courtroom, and they also may isolate juries from the public in some circumstances. As a neutral party, they may handle evidence during court hearings to ensure that only permitted evidence is displayed.
 Work Environment
			Correctional officersBecause jail and prison security must be provided 24 hours a day, officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Bailiffs held about 17,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of bailiffs were as follows:
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                64%State government, excluding education and hospitals
                34Correctional officers and jailers held about 378,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of correctional officers and jailers were as follows:
        State government, excluding education and hospitals
                51%Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                41Federal government
                4Facilities support services
                4Correctional officers may work both indoors and outdoors at penal institutions. For example, their shift may include patrolling the facility inside and supervising outdoor recreational activities of people in custody. Bailiffs generally work in courtrooms.
Both correctional officers and bailiffs may be required to stand for long periods. They must be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift.
Injuries and Illnesses
Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers and jailers may become injured in confrontations with people in custody, leading to their having one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They may wear safety gear, such as gloves and helmets, to protect against injury.
Work Schedules
Most correctional officers and bailiffs work full time. Because jail and prison security must be provided around the clock, correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Correctional officers may be required to work overtime. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.
 How to Become a Correctional Officer or Bailiff

			Correctional officersCorrectional officers typically attend training at an academy before being assigned to a facility.			
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically attend a training academy.
Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies set a minimum age for correctional officers that is usually between 18 and 21. Federal agencies also may require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or work experience and may have a maximum age for entry.
Education
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
For employment in federal prisons, the Federal Bureau of Prisons requires entry-level correctional officers to have a bachelor’s degree or several years of experience in a field providing counseling, assistance, or supervision. Bachelor's degree fields vary but commonly include security and protective service or a related field, such as social science.
Training
Correctional officers and bailiffs complete training at an academy. Training varies by state. The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training maintains links to states’ Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) programs. Academy trainees receive instruction in a number of subjects, including self-defense, institutional policies, regulations, operations, and security procedures.
Correctional officers and bailiffs may shadow experienced officers after graduating from a training academy.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states require correctional officers to complete state certification. For more information, check with your state’s public safety, corrections, or other agency that establishes this certification.
Advancement
Correctional officers may advance to supervisory positions such as sergeant, lieutenant, or captain. They also may move into specialized units, such as gang task force or hostage negotiation.
Bailiffs may advance to senior bailiff or other supervisory positions.
Important Qualities
***Decision-making**skills.*** Correctional officers and bailiffs must determine the best course of action to maintain order and discipline, often in stressful situations.
***Detail oriented.*** Correctional officers and bailiffs follow and enforce procedures in correctional facilities and courts to ensure safety.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Correctional officers and bailiffs must be able to interact and communicate effectively with people in custody, visitors, and other officers of penal institutions and the court to maintain order.
***Negotiating skills.*** Correctional officers must be able to assist in resolving conflict in order to ensure safety.
***Physical strength.*** Correctional officers and bailiffs must be able to physically subdue people as necessary, including those in or visiting penal institutions and those attending court proceedings.
***Self-discipline.*** Correctional officers must be able to control their emotions in hostile situations.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Correctional Officers and BailiffsMedian annual wages, May 2023Law enforcement workers$66,030  Correctional officers and jailers$53,300  Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers$53,290  Bailiffs$53,040  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for bailiffs was $53,040 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,540, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $87,670.The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $53,300 in May 2023. 


The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,340, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $87,250.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for bailiffs in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        State government, excluding education and hospitals
                $72,490Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                46,900In May 2023, the median annual wages for correctional officers and jailers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Federal government
                $69,180State government, excluding education and hospitals
                55,080Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                51,880Facilities support services
                44,450Most correctional officers and bailiffs work full time. Because jail and prison security must be provided around the clock, correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Correctional officers may be required to work overtime. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                        Correctional Officers and BailiffsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Law enforcement workers0%  Bailiffs-2%  Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers-7%  Correctional officers and jailers-8%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline				 7 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 30,900 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Lower incarceration rates and prison population levels are expected to reduce demand for these workers.
Although correctional officers and bailiffs will continue to be needed, changes to criminal laws have a large effect on how many people are arrested and incarcerated each year. Faced with high costs for keeping people in prison, many state governments have moved toward laws requiring shorter prison terms and alternatives to prison. While keeping the public safe, community-based programs that are designed to rehabilitate prisoners and limit their risk of repeated offenses also may reduce prisoner counts.
			

                        Employment projections data for     correctional officers and bailiffs, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers**
			33-3010
			395,700
			366,700
			-7
			-29,000
			Get data**Bailiffs**
			33-3011
			17,100
			16,800
			-2
			-400
			Get data**Correctional officers and jailers**
			33-3012
			378,500
			349,900
			-8
			-28,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Bailiffs
					Correctional officers and jailers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of correctional officers and bailiffs. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Police and Detectives**
            Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
            See How to Become One
            $74,910**Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists**
            Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
            Bachelor's degree
            $61,800**Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers**
            Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property from illegal activity.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $37,090**Firefighters**
            Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $57,120
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), visit
International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
For more information about career opportunities for correctional officers at the federal level, visit
Federal Bureau of Prisons
For more information about federal government requirements for correctional officers, visit
U.S. Office of Personnel Management

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        BailiffsCorrectional Officers and Jailers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Correctional Officers and Bailiffs, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/correctional-officers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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