First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Also called: Correctional Officer Captain · Correctional Supervisor
Median pay (national)
$76,310
$50,340–$125,170 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
53,390
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-2.8%
~4,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for first-line supervisors of correctional officers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $125,170 versus $50,340 at the bottom 10% — 2.5x. The median of $76,310 leaves roughly 64% 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 -2.8% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 4,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 49 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $127,380, +67% vs the national median), while Missouri sits lowest at $45,390 — a 181% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring 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.
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
- Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
- Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.
- Supervise activities, such as searches, shakedowns, riot control, or institutional tours.
- Transfer or transport offenders on foot or by driving vehicles, such as trailers, vans, or buses.
- Review offender information to identify issues that require special attention.
- Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
- 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.
- Carry injured offenders or employees to safety and provide emergency first aid when necessary.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- 3M Electronic Monitoring
- Guardian RFID
- Jail management software
- Email software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training