Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Reading, PA
Correctional Officers and Jailers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $69,400 a year ($33.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,100 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $58,940. Pay here is 9% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,460. There are 1.4 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $69,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| 25th percentile | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Median | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| 75th percentile | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,100 | $38.03 |
| Average (mean) | $69,540 | $33.43 |
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 | $5,783.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,891.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,669.23 |
| Weekly | $1,334.62 |
| Hourly | $33.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,200 | 5,570 |
| State College, PA | $66,730 | 770 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $63,460 | 760 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $61,800 | 870 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $60,540 | 1,160 |
| Lancaster, PA | $59,430 | 250 |
| Johnstown, PA | $56,450 | 190 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,990 | 520 |
| Erie, PA | $51,250 | 410 |
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 |
See Correctional Officers and Jailers pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $87,060 | $41.85 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,190 | $45.76 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Security Guard | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Firefighter | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,050 | $13.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,200 | $24.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in the Reading, PA metro area is $69,400 a year, or $33.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $79,100 a year. The top 25% earn $69,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,400 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $69,400 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Reading, PA?
About 240 correctional officers and jailers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.