Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Correctional Officer
- Corrections Officer (CO)
- Detention Officer
- Jailer
Alternate Job Titles
- Booking Officer
- Certified Detention Deputy
- Civilian Jail Officer
- Community Corrections Officer (CCO)
- Community Services Officer (CSO)
- Confinement Officer
- Convict Guard
- Correction Officer
- Correctional Guard
- Correctional Monitor
- Correctional Officer
- Correctional Officer Specialist
- Correctional Security Officer
- Corrections Corporal
- Corrections Officer (CO)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Conduct security checks of the premises.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Near Vision
- Speech Recognition
- Selective Attention
- Written Comprehension
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Self-Control
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Air-supplying respirators
- Cut resistant gloves
- Data collectors
- Desktop computers
- Electroshock weapons
- Emergency fire extinguishers
- Emergency fire hoses
- Expandable batons
- Firefighting respirators
- Hearing protection plugs
- Laptop computers
- Law enforcement flashlights
- Law enforcement handguns
- Law enforcement rifles
- Law enforcement shotguns
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $41,750 |
| Median | $57,970 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $93,000 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 365,380
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $76,310
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $64,520
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $76,290
Bailiffs
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $57,050
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $105,980
Is This Career Right for You?
Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.
Take the Free Career Assessment →
Want Personalized Guidance?
For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.
Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.