Correction Officer Jobs

A Correction Officer, also known as a Detention Officer, is a law enforcement professional who oversees individuals who have been arrested, are awaiting trial, or have been sentenced to serve time in jails or prisons. In this role, they are responsible for maintaining order within the correctional facility, supervising prisoner activities, and ensuring the safety and security of inmates and staff. They play an essential role in the criminal justice system by enforcing rules, preventing disturbances, and responding to emergencies, all while treating inmates with respect and dignity.

To excel in this role, a Correction Officer should possess strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills. They should be able to handle high-stress situations and exhibit patience, especially when dealing with difficult individuals. Moreover, physical fitness is also crucial as the job can be physically demanding. As for certifications, most states require Correction Officers to complete a training academy, followed by on-the-job training. They may also need to be certified in CPR and First Aid. Before becoming a Correction Officer, a person might have held roles such as a Security Guard, Police Officer, or Military Service Member, providing them with a strong background in law enforcement and security procedures.

1-15 of 768 Jobs

Detention Captain

  • Gunnison, CO
  • 5 hours ago
  • Gunnison, CO
  • 5 hours ago

Performs a variety of complex administrative, supervisory and professional public safety assistance work in: planning, coordinating and directing the activities of the Detention Unit of the Sheriff's...

Detention Deputy

  • Pueblo, CO
  • 7 days ago
  • Pueblo, CO
  • 7 days ago

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office David J. Lucero Position Title Detention Deputy Job Type Full-Time Rate of Pay $25.21-$37.80 per hour (This position starts at the minimum of $25.21 per hour.) Job...

Correctional Officer

  • Pueblo, CO
  • 8 days ago
  • Pueblo, CO
  • 8 days ago

Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office David J. Lucero Position Title Detention Deputy Job Type Full-Time Rate of Pay $25.21-$37.80 per hour (This position starts at the minimum of $25.21 per hour.) Job...

Detention Officer

  • Custer, SD
  • 14 days ago
  • Custer, SD
  • 14 days ago

THE WESTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE is hiring for the position of Detention Officer. Applicants must be 18 years of age, have a valid D.L., H.S Diploma or a GED equivalent and be able to pass WLEA...

Corrections Officer for County Jail

  • Wahpeton, ND
  • 15 days ago
  • Wahpeton, ND
  • 15 days ago

Start your career in Law Enforcement today! Full Time position. Starting pay is $22.19/hour with excellent benefits! After 1 year and completion of required training, hourly wage will increase....

Corrections Officer

  • Muskegon, MI
  • 21 days ago
  • Muskegon, MI
  • 21 days ago

Corrections Officers complete various police reports and records as required by the nature of their assignment....

Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Fayette

  • Harrisburg, PA
  • moments ago
  • Harrisburg, PA
  • moments ago

Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Fayette Print ( Apply Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Fayette Salary $46,986.00 Annually Location Fayette County, PA Job Type Civil Service Permanent Full-Time Job...

Remote Work

Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Greene

  • Harrisburg, PA
  • moments ago
  • Harrisburg, PA
  • moments ago

Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Greene Print ( Apply Corrections Officer Trainee - SCI Greene Salary $46,986.00 Annually Location Greene County, PA Job Type Civil Service Permanent Full-Time Job Number...

Remote Work

safety employees: PSERS: Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS)....

Police Custody Officer

  • Newport Beach, CA
  • 1 hour ago
  • Newport Beach, CA
  • 1 hour ago

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience : One year of experience requiring constant and responsible public contact, preferably in a law enforcement or correctional facility...

Detention Officer - Flex

  • Los Angeles, CA
  • 1 hour ago
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • 1 hour ago

Permit Type and Length of Specific Experience Required Must possess a minimum of two (2) years driving experience Must possess one or more of the following: Three (3) year of experience as a law enforcement...

Correctional Officer I - Temporary

  • Rutland, VT
  • 5 hours ago
  • Rutland, VT
  • 5 hours ago

This job was posted by : For moreinformation, please see: Corrections professionals in Vermont work in a system that believes inthe basics of human change....

Correctional Officer I

  • Swanton, VT
  • 5 hours ago
  • Swanton, VT
  • 5 hours ago

This job was posted by : For moreinformation, please see: Corrections professionals in Vermont work in a system that believes inthe basics of human change....

Corrections Officer

  • West Bend, WI
  • 7 hours ago
  • West Bend, WI
  • 7 hours ago

JOB REQUIREMENTS: CORRECTIONS OFFICER CORRECTIONS OFFICER Position :200949 Posting Start : 03/04/2025 Posting End : 12/31/9999 HOURLY RATERANGE: \$30.39-\$40.42 Washington County is an Equal OpportunityEmployer...

Detention Officer

  • Pahrump, NV
  • 8 hours ago
  • Pahrump, NV
  • 8 hours ago

Must complete pre-service correctional officer training and, where applicable, be a non-commissioned security officer licensed by the state of employment....

Correction Officer Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireLawEnforcement curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Corrections Officer Practice Tests
Top-level preparation for the Correctional Officer exam. Achieve your Correction Officer aspirations with help from the experts at Peterson's! Hours of preparation that includes: Three original...
How to Become a Police Officer in England and Wales
Currently, policing is unrepresentative of the society it represents. To correct that, its vital that underrepresented and disadvantaged groups can learn about policing and consider their options...
Introduction to Corrections
Introduction to Corrections online course with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia. Study Legal, Justice and Security online.

Salary for Correction Officer Jobs Nationwide

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireLawEnforcement research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Correction Officer positions.



Highest Education Level

Correction Officers offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
29.6%
High School or GED
26.7%
Associate's Degree
17.8%
Vocational Degree or Certification
13.0%
Master's Degree
7.8%
Some College
3.0%
Some High School
1.1%
Doctorate Degree
1.0%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Correction Officers
None
78.7%
1-2 years
14.6%
Less than 1 year
6.8%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Correction Officer Related Career Advice Articles

Police officer and law enforcement colleague reviewing files
3 Police Officer Resume Problems and How to Solve Them

Short-term assignments, large amounts of specialized training, and lengthy lists of affiliations and community involvement can cause problems when writing a law enforcement resume. Here's how to solve those resume "crimes."

Read article »