Prison guards, also known as detention officers or correctional officers, are responsible for overseeing those who have been incarcerated in a jail or prison. This may involve permanent or temporary prisoners. These professionals must maintain a high-level of security and order in a potentially dangerous atmosphere.
National Salary Scales
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the average wage of prison guards in 2009 was $42,610 a year, which equates to $20.49 an hour. This was based on an estimated prison guard work force of 455,350. The median salary was $39,050. The top 10 percent earned $64,850 and above, and the top 25 percent earned $52,240 or above. Conversely, 10 percent earned less than $25,960 while 25 percent earned less than $31,210.
Salaries by Industry
The highest salaries for prison guards in 2009 were offered by the federal executive branch, averaging $52,310 a year. This was followed by state government, which was also the largest employer, at $43,710 a year. Local government came in third at $41,370, followed by the facilities support services sector at $31,870, and the "other residential care facilities" sector, averaged $22,130 a year.
Salaries by State
The highest concentration of prison guard workers in 2009 was in Louisiana, with 5.59 correctional officers per thousand workers. The average salary in Louisiana was $33,440, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest salaries were found in California, with an annual mean wage of $66,720. This was followed by New Jersey, Nevada and New York. Illinois came in fifth, with incomes of $51,530 a year on average.
Qualifications and Training
A high school diploma or equivalent is often the minimum educational requirement required in order to become a prison guard. Those working in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, however, require at least a bachelor's degree in addition to three years' experience in a supervisory or counseling role. Other prisons may also require some college or university education, however this depends on the jurisdiction. Often, college credits may be substituted for police or military experience. Training also varies by locality. Some have formal training academies where others include on-the-job training.
