Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Los Angeles, CA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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In Los Angeles, California, correctional officers and jailers earn a median annual salary of $79,710, which is significantly higher than the national median for this occupation at $57,970. When compared to the local area's median household income of $93,525, their earnings are slightly below average. This suggests that while correctional officers and jailers in Los Angeles are compensated well relative to their peers across the country, they earn less than the typical household within the region. The median hourly wage for these workers is $38.32, reflecting a robust compensation package that contributes significantly to household incomes despite being lower than the area's broader economic average.
Entry-level correctional officers and jailers in Los Angeles typically start at around the 10th percentile of earnings, which equates to an annual salary of approximately $65,060 or $31.29 per hour. In contrast, those with more experience who earn towards the 90th percentile can expect salaries up to $107,210 annually, or about $51.55 per hour. This significant disparity is driven by factors such as tenure in the field, additional responsibilities, specialized skills, and potentially union negotiations that favor experienced workers. Experience and seniority often correlate with increased pay rates due to accrued knowledge, enhanced job performance, and greater contributions to institutional safety and efficiency. As a result, those further along in their careers can command considerably higher salaries than newcomers to the profession.
Salary percentile breakdown
Los Angeles economic context
Frequently asked questions
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make per hour in Los Angeles?
The median hourly wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Los Angeles, CA is $38.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.69 or more per hour.
Is Los Angeles above or below average for Correctional Officers and Jailers salaries?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Los Angeles, CA is 37.5% above 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 Los Angeles?
Entry-level Correctional Officers and Jailers (10th percentile) earn around $65,060 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,820.