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First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $77,970/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$52,330$127,780

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -2.8% projected growth, 20242034 — declining.

About 4,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningMonitoringCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingReading ComprehensionManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingPersuasion
Top knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementPsychologyEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsEducation and Training
Core tasks

Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.

Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.

Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.

Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.

Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.

Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.

Monitor behavior of subordinates to ensure alert, courteous, and professional behavior toward inmates, parolees, fellow employees, visitors, and the public.

Restrain, secure, or control offenders, using chemical agents, firearms, or other weapons of force as necessary.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers?

The median pay for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers is $77,970 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers?

Employment for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers is projected to change -2.8% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers?

About 4,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.