Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Washington
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Washington earn a median of $79,460 a year ($38.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,430 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $58,940. Washington ranks 5th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.9 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $78,150, close to the median.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| 25th percentile | $70,600 | $33.94 |
| Median | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| 75th percentile | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,430 | $45.88 |
| Average (mean) | $78,150 | $37.57 |
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 | $6,621.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,310.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,056.15 |
| Weekly | $1,528.08 |
| Hourly | $38.20 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $84,640 | 1,350 |
| Bellingham, WA | $83,030 | 120 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $81,550 | 230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $81,550 | 2,170 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $79,460 | 590 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $79,460 | 630 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $77,480 | 130 |
| Yakima, WA | $76,070 | 220 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $62,270 | 40 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $48,000 | 60 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $115,790 | $55.67 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| Bailiff | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Security Guard | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Firefighter | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $129,350 | $62.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,080 | $30.81 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in Washington is $79,460 a year, or $38.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Washington?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in Washington earn at least $95,430 a year. The top 25% earn $81,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,460 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $70,600 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Washington?
About 6,800 correctional officers and jailers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.