BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Carolina

$51,390 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$24.71 per hour

▼ 19.2% below U.S. average39th of 49 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$51,390per year
Median$50,550per year
Hourly$24.71per hour
10th – 90th percentile$38,850 – $63,150per year

Correctional Officers and Jailers Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,850
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$44,460
  • 50th Percentile — Median$50,550
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$54,680
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,150

Half of Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Carolina earn more than $50,550. The top 10% make $63,150 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,850.

Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 39th of 49 states for Correctional Officers and Jailers pay, at $51,390 per year (19.2% below the U.S. average of $63,630).
  • 11,900 people work as Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Carolina — 3.1% of all U.S. Correctional Officers and Jailers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.98: Correctional Officers and Jailers jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,850; the top 10% earn over $63,150.
  • Hourly equivalent: $24.71 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $92,410.
  • Among public safety jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($91,280).

Correctional Officers and Jailers Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Correctional Officers and Jailers here earn $51,390 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $51,390 is roughly equivalent to $56,473 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Dakota ($53,260), Montana ($52,980), South Carolina ($51,520) are the closest alternatives for Correctional Officers and Jailers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in North Carolina?

The average Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in North Carolina is $51,390 per year (median $50,550), which is 19.2% below the national average of $63,630.

How does North Carolina rank for Correctional Officers and Jailers pay?

North Carolina ranks 39th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is California ($92,410/yr).

How much do entry-level Correctional Officers and Jailers make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Correctional Officers and Jailers in North Carolina earn about $38,850 per year and the 25th percentile is $44,460.

How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make per hour in North Carolina?

About $24.71 per hour, based on the $51,390 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Correctional Officers and Jailers work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 11,900 Correctional Officers and Jailers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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