Protective Service
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Also called: Booking Officer, Community Services Officer (CSO), Correctional Officer, Corrections Officer (CO)
US median pay
$58,940
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-7.4%
declining
Openings a year (US)
28,400
397,800 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
What they do day to day
- Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
- Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
- Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
- Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
- Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
- Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
- Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
- Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
- Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
- Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment, such as a computer.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Coordination3.5/5
- Persuasion3.4/5
- Negotiation3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security4.1/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Law and Government3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma92%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.