Bailiffs
Maintain order in courts of law.
Also called: Bailiff · Court Bailiff · Court Constable · Court Deputy · Court Officer · Court Security Officer
Median pay (national)
$57,050
$32,950–$93,950 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
16,910
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-2.2%
~1,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for bailiffs shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $93,950 versus $32,950 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $57,050 leaves roughly 65% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -2.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 1,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 42 states with released data, Connecticut pays the most for this role (median $109,150, +91% vs the national median), while North Dakota sits lowest at $27,560 — a 296% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Monitoring, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
- Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
- Stop people from entering courtroom while judge charges jury.
- Provide assistance to the public, such as directions to court offices.
- Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
- Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
- Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
- Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.
- Arrest persons in court when arrest warrants have been issued.
- Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff's office.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Case management system software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Court docket management software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
- State crime information databases
- Statistics software
- Web browser software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Email software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Administrative