Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $56,590 -2.4% vs national
Median hourly $27.21
10th percentile $45,860
90th percentile $80,430
Employed locally 640
National median $57,970

Compare Correctional Officers and Jailers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Correctional Officers and Jailers
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,860
    25th
    $48,650
    50th (median)
    $56,590
    75th
    $65,830
    90th
    $80,430

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Correctional Officers and Jailers salary vs area income 67% Median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary is 33% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Correctional Officers and Jailers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $131,210
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $107,220
    Salinas, CA $106,490
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $104,090
    El Centro, CA $104,090
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $104,090

    Nearby metros — Correctional Officers and Jailers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $104,090
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $97,490
    California $95,840
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $94,740
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $91,280
    Alexandria, LA $81,430

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,410
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $85,420
    Firefighters $51,580
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $117,020
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $26,520
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $79,640

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Des Moines, IA is $27.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.47 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Correctional Officers and Jailers salaries?

    The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Des Moines, IA is 2.4% below the national median of $57,970. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Correctional Officers and Jailers (10th percentile) earn around $45,860 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,650.