Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $49,560 -14.5% vs national
Median hourly $23.83
10th percentile $38,390
90th percentile $59,350
Employed locally 660
National median $57,970

Compare Correctional Officers and Jailers salary & buying power

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Correctional Officers and Jailers
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,390
    25th
    $47,200
    50th (median)
    $49,560
    75th
    $55,100
    90th
    $59,350

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Correctional Officers and Jailers salary vs area income 71% Median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary is 29% 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
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $54,410
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $51,010
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $49,140
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $48,440
    Jackson, TN $46,310
    Clarksville, TN-KY $46,220

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$35,960
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$60,460
    Firefighters$47,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$60,590
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators$75,850
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$25,350

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Knoxville, TN is $23.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.08 or more per hour.

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

    The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Knoxville, TN is 14.5% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Correctional Officers and Jailers (10th percentile) earn around $38,390 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,200.