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.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
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
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, candidates may be required to pass oral, written, and psychological exams. PayThe median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $66,270 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 7,900 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $66,270 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 7,900 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 7,900 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
Work Environment
Most probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work full time. Their jobs may involve traveling to meet with probationers and parolees. Working in high-crime areas or in institutions may be stressful and dangerous.
How to Become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, candidates may be required to pass oral, written, and psychological exams.
Pay
The median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $66,270 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 7,900 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work full time. Their jobs may involve traveling to meet with probationers and parolees. Working in high-crime areas or in institutions may be stressful and dangerous.
How to Become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, candidates may be required to pass oral, written, and psychological exams.
Pay
The median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $66,270 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 7,900 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists 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 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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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.