Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Illinois
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Illinois earn a median of $79,190 a year ($38.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,770 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $58,940. Illinois ranks 6th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 2.0 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,080, close to the median.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,520 | $24.29 |
| 25th percentile | $65,900 | $31.68 |
| Median | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| 75th percentile | $88,790 | $42.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| Average (mean) | $78,080 | $37.54 |
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 | $6,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,299.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,045.77 |
| Weekly | $1,522.88 |
| Hourly | $38.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $84,550 | 4,940 |
| Peoria, IL | $64,540 | 220 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,390 | 460 |
| Springfield, IL | $60,590 | 140 |
| Rockford, IL | $56,650 | 250 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $55,840 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,980 | 1,620 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $41,170 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,120 | 50 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,520 | $48.33 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,190 | $43.84 |
| Bailiff | $46,390 | $22.30 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Security Guard | $39,490 | $18.98 |
| Firefighter | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $135,080 | $64.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $123,500 | $59.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $105,450 | $50.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $70,570 | $33.93 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Illinois is $79,190 a year, or $38.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Illinois earn at least $102,770 a year. The top 25% earn $88,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,520 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $65,900 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Illinois?
About 12,190 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.