Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $81,910 +41.3% vs national
Median hourly $39.38
10th percentile $76,870
90th percentile $102,700
Employed locally 120
National median $57,970

Compare Correctional Officers and Jailers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Santa Cruz, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Correctional Officers and Jailers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,870
    25th
    $81,910
    50th (median)
    $81,910
    75th
    $102,700
    90th
    $102,700

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Correctional Officers and Jailers salary vs area income 75% Median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary is 25% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $131,210
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $107,220
    Salinas, CA $106,490
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $104,090
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $104,090
    El Centro, CA $104,090

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$46,030
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$123,140
    Firefighters$74,130
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$37,520
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$38,910
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$158,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Santa Cruz, CA is $39.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.80 or more per hour.

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

    The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 41.3% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Correctional Officers and Jailers (10th percentile) earn around $76,870 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,910.