Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically go to a training academy and then are assigned to a facility, where they receive on-the-job training. Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies have an age requirement for correctional officers. Some federal agencies also require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or related work experience. PayThe median annual wage for bailiffs was $56,600 in May 2025.The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $58,940 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 30,000 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for correctional officers and bailiffs. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of correctional officers and bailiffs with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for bailiffs was $56,600 in May 2025.The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $58,940 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 30,000 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for correctional officers and bailiffs. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of correctional officers and bailiffs with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 30,000 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for correctional officers and bailiffs. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of correctional officers and bailiffs with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
Work Environment
Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.
How to Become a Correctional Officer or Bailiff
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically go to a training academy and then are assigned to a facility, where they receive on-the-job training. Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies have an age requirement for correctional officers. Some federal agencies also require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or related work experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for bailiffs was $56,600 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $58,940 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline 7 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 30,000 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for correctional officers and bailiffs.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of correctional officers and bailiffs with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.
How to Become a Correctional Officer or Bailiff
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically go to a training academy and then are assigned to a facility, where they receive on-the-job training. Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies have an age requirement for correctional officers. Some federal agencies also require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or related work experience.
Pay
The median annual wage for bailiffs was $56,600 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $58,940 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline 7 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 30,000 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for correctional officers and bailiffs.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of correctional officers and bailiffs with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for correctional officers and bailiffs.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of correctional officers and bailiffs with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about correctional officers and bailiffs by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.