Bailiffs
Bailiffs (SOC 33-3011) earn a median $56,600 a year ($27.21 an hour) in the United States, with 17,310 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Connecticut.
What bailiffs do
Bailiffs maintain order in courts of law. They screen persons entering the courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines and other devices, and collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband. They maintain order in the courtroom during trial, enforce courtroom rules of behavior, warn persons not to disturb court procedure, and guard the jury from outside contact, including guarding the lodging of a sequestered jury. They escort prisoners to and from the courthouse and maintain custody of them during court proceedings. They patrol the interior and exterior of the courthouse and escort judges and other court employees to provide security. When arrest warrants have been issued they arrest persons in court, and they report the need for police or medical assistance to the sheriff's office. O*NET alternate titles include court officer, court security officer, court deputy, court constable and armed bailiff. About 40 percent of respondents report a high school diploma, 33 percent an associate degree and 21 percent a postsecondary certificate. Bailiffs differ from correctional officers, who guard inmates in penal institutions, and from police patrol officers who work in the community.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical level of education for this occupation (40 percent).
Also called: Armed Bailiff, Bailiff, Bailiff Deputy, City Bailiff, County Bailiff.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $15.45 | $21.02 | $27.21 | $35.88 | $46.53 | $29.65 | 17,310 |
| Annual | $32,140 | $43,720 | $56,600 | $74,630 | $96,770 | $61,660 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where bailiffs earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $46.46 | $50.62 | $53.79 | $56.45 | $56.45 | $53.02 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| Annual | $96,640 | $105,280 | $111,890 | $117,410 | $117,410 | $110,280 | ||||
| Alaska | Hourly | $17.37 | $36.05 | $43.56 | $50.23 | $54.72 | $42.49 | 60 | 0.19 | 1.71 |
| Annual | $36,120 | $74,980 | $90,600 | $104,480 | $113,820 | $88,390 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $26.87 | $29.91 | $41.70 | $50.76 | $50.76 | $39.86 | 930 | 0.26 | 2.30 |
| Annual | $55,890 | $62,210 | $86,730 | $105,580 | $105,580 | $82,910 | ||||
| Washington | Hourly | $17.79 | $24.73 | $37.64 | $48.35 | $48.35 | $35.34 | 180 | 0.05 | 0.45 |
| Annual | $37,000 | $51,440 | $78,290 | $100,570 | $100,570 | $73,500 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $27.12 | $28.52 | $37.28 | $45.94 | $46.53 | $37.25 | 3,830 | 0.40 | 3.56 |
| Annual | $56,400 | $59,320 | $77,540 | $95,540 | $96,770 | $77,480 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York | Hourly | $27.12 | $28.52 | $37.28 | $45.94 | $46.53 | $37.25 | 3,830 | 0.40 | 3.56 |
| Annual | $56,400 | $59,320 | $77,540 | $95,540 | $96,770 | $77,480 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $19.03 | $22.50 | $24.55 | $29.42 | $35.57 | $26.61 | 1,640 | 0.30 | 2.66 |
| Annual | $39,570 | $46,810 | $51,060 | $61,190 | $73,980 | $55,360 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $15.00 | $17.13 | $22.30 | $28.06 | $36.94 | $24.32 | 960 | 0.16 | 1.42 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $35,640 | $46,390 | $58,360 | $76,840 | $50,590 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $17.97 | $23.98 | $28.37 | $33.85 | $40.07 | $29.24 | 940 | 0.09 | 0.85 |
| Annual | $37,380 | $49,870 | $59,000 | $70,410 | $83,340 | $60,820 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $26.87 | $29.91 | $41.70 | $50.76 | $50.76 | $39.86 | 930 | 0.26 | 2.30 |
| Annual | $55,890 | $62,210 | $86,730 | $105,580 | $105,580 | $82,910 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $12.60 | $23.15 | $78.87 | $85.71 | $93.79 | $56.83 | 220 | 0.08 | 0.69 |
| Annual | $26,220 | $48,160 | $164,040 | $178,270 | $195,080 | $118,210 | ||||
| Warner Robins, GA | Hourly | $28.87 | $37.22 | $78.87 | $78.87 | $78.87 | $65.44 | 40 | 0.56 | 5.06 |
| Annual | $60,050 | $77,420 | $164,040 | $164,040 | $164,040 | $136,120 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $29.58 | $37.64 | $48.35 | $48.35 | $54.40 | $42.99 | 110 | 0.05 | 0.48 |
| Annual | $61,530 | $78,290 | $100,570 | $100,570 | $113,140 | $89,430 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $27.12 | $28.52 | $40.08 | $46.53 | $46.53 | $38.24 | 2,730 | 0.29 | 2.58 |
| Annual | $56,400 | $59,320 | $83,360 | $96,770 | $96,770 | $79,540 | ||||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Hourly | $29.62 | $30.38 | $39.71 | $39.71 | $39.71 | $36.54 | 60 | 0.04 | 0.38 |
| Annual | $61,600 | $63,190 | $82,590 | $82,590 | $82,590 | $76,000 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $27.12 | $28.52 | $40.08 | $46.53 | $46.53 | $38.24 | 2,730 | 0.29 | 2.58 |
| Annual | $56,400 | $59,320 | $83,360 | $96,770 | $96,770 | $79,540 | ||||
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | Hourly | $17.20 | $17.20 | $18.16 | $21.39 | $22.87 | $19.35 | 800 | 1.16 | 10.41 |
| Annual | $35,770 | $35,770 | $37,770 | $44,480 | $47,580 | $40,250 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $23.52 | $28.37 | $38.26 | $50.66 | $50.76 | $38.37 | 550 | 0.20 | 1.83 |
| Annual | $48,910 | $59,010 | $79,570 | $105,360 | $105,580 | $79,810 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $15.00 | $17.50 | $24.35 | $28.92 | $47.91 | $25.94 | 500 | 0.11 | 0.99 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $36,390 | $50,660 | $60,150 | $99,660 | $53,940 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $17.91 | $19.73 | $22.89 | $23.46 | $26.46 | $21.65 | 460 | 0.16 | 1.42 |
| Annual | $37,260 | $41,030 | $47,600 | $48,790 | $55,030 | $45,020 | ||||
Top industries employing bailiffs
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) employ 65.5% of bailiffs nationally (11,340 jobs) at a median $48,580 a year ($23.35 an hour), followed by State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (33.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 11,340 | 65.5% | $48,580 | $23.35 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 5,860 | 33.9% | $74,630 | $35.88 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (17,310). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $48,320 for bailiffs in May 2021 and $56,600 in May 2025, with employment of 16,420 and 17,310.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $48,320 | $23.23 | 16,420 |
| May 2022 | $49,100 | $23.60 | 16,470 |
| May 2023 | $53,040 | $25.50 | 15,900 |
| May 2024 | $57,050 | $27.43 | 16,910 |
| May 2025 | $56,600 | $27.21 | 17,310 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
44 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut profile | $53.79 | $111,890 | $96,640 | $117,410 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| 2 | Alaska profile | $43.56 | $90,600 | $36,120 | $113,820 | 60 | 0.19 | 1.71 |
| 3 | Massachusetts profile | $41.70 | $86,730 | $55,890 | $105,580 | 930 | 0.26 | 2.30 |
| 4 | Washington profile | $37.64 | $78,290 | $37,000 | $100,570 | 180 | 0.05 | 0.45 |
| 5 | New York profile | $37.28 | $77,540 | $56,400 | $96,770 | 3,830 | 0.40 | 3.56 |
| 6 | Nebraska profile | $36.58 | $76,090 | $47,310 | $76,610 | 50 | 0.05 | 0.47 |
| 7 | Nevada profile | $34.25 | $71,230 | $61,050 | $86,910 | 210 | 0.13 | 1.20 |
| 8 | Kansas profile | $33.36 | $69,390 | $58,390 | $82,280 | 450 | 0.31 | 2.79 |
| 9 | Colorado profile | $30.44 | $63,320 | $38,950 | $89,770 | 70 | 0.02 | 0.21 |
| 10 | Maine profile | $30.19 | $62,800 | $50,560 | $64,730 | 110 | 0.17 | 1.51 |
| 11 | Georgia profile | $30.00 | $62,400 | $26,220 | $200,670 | 670 | 0.14 | 1.24 |
| 12 | Virginia profile | $29.95 | $62,290 | $39,160 | $79,850 | 320 | 0.08 | 0.70 |
| 13 | Texas profile | $28.99 | $60,300 | $38,150 | $80,650 | 590 | 0.04 | 0.37 |
| 14 | Maryland profile | $28.59 | $59,470 | $45,750 | $62,920 | 410 | 0.15 | 1.34 |
| 15 | Florida profile | $28.37 | $59,000 | $37,380 | $83,340 | 940 | 0.09 | 0.85 |
| 16 | Utah profile | $27.54 | $57,290 | $52,420 | $79,210 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| 17 | Oregon profile | $27.47 | $57,140 | $48,450 | $71,280 | 80 | 0.04 | 0.35 |
| 18 | North Carolina profile | $26.97 | $56,100 | $37,270 | $67,360 | 250 | 0.05 | 0.45 |
| 19 | Michigan profile | $25.87 | $53,810 | $37,000 | $62,500 | 780 | 0.18 | 1.59 |
| 20 | Iowa profile | $25.05 | $52,100 | $27,290 | $70,450 | 60 | 0.04 | 0.34 |
| 21 | Ohio profile | $24.55 | $51,060 | $39,570 | $73,980 | 1,640 | 0.30 | 2.66 |
| 22 | Idaho profile | $24.21 | $50,350 | $38,290 | $74,320 | 110 | 0.12 | 1.11 |
| 23 | Minnesota profile | $23.98 | $49,890 | $45,090 | $60,120 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.11 |
| 24 | Hawaii profile | $23.53 | $48,940 | $45,220 | $64,400 | 50 | 0.08 | 0.67 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania profile | $22.89 | $47,600 | $24,610 | $55,240 | 610 | 0.10 | 0.91 |
| 26 | Montana profile | $22.50 | $46,800 | $32,410 | $50,400 | 40 | 0.08 | 0.71 |
| 27 | Arizona profile | $22.30 | $46,390 | $39,020 | $60,180 | 270 | 0.08 | 0.74 |
| 28 | Illinois profile | $22.30 | $46,390 | $31,200 | $76,840 | 960 | 0.16 | 1.42 |
| 29 | Arkansas profile | $21.68 | $45,090 | $34,940 | $61,780 | 140 | 0.10 | 0.93 |
| 30 | Louisiana profile | $21.18 | $44,040 | $22,980 | $71,370 | 90 | 0.05 | 0.43 |
| 31 | Missouri profile | $21.17 | $44,040 | $31,780 | $62,400 | 280 | 0.09 | 0.85 |
| 32 | New Jersey profile | $21.00 | $43,690 | $36,600 | $69,640 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.11 |
| 33 | Indiana profile | $20.67 | $43,000 | $28,740 | $60,440 | 510 | 0.16 | 1.42 |
| 34 | Alabama profile | $20.34 | $42,300 | $33,050 | $56,600 | 150 | 0.07 | 0.62 |
| 35 | Oklahoma profile | $20.19 | $42,000 | $42,000 | $52,000 | 180 | 0.11 | 0.96 |
| 36 | New Hampshire profile | $19.72 | $41,010 | $37,200 | $52,350 | 60 | 0.09 | 0.78 |
| 37 | Wisconsin profile | $18.79 | $39,080 | $26,250 | $69,670 | 250 | 0.08 | 0.76 |
| 38 | Wyoming profile | $18.44 | $38,360 | $35,640 | $69,660 | 50 | 0.18 | 1.57 |
| 39 | Mississippi profile | $18.37 | $38,200 | $24,110 | $52,790 | 180 | 0.15 | 1.36 |
| 40 | West Virginia profile | $17.43 | $36,250 | $29,670 | $41,690 | 160 | 0.22 | 1.99 |
| 41 | Tennessee profile | $17.30 | $35,990 | $30,340 | $49,220 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.28 |
| 42 | South Carolina profile | $16.48 | $34,280 | $21,070 | $61,720 | 270 | 0.12 | 1.04 |
| 43 | Kentucky profile | $14.79 | $30,760 | $28,920 | $44,340 | 760 | 0.38 | 3.42 |
| 44 | North Dakota profile | $13.25 | $27,560 | $27,560 | $55,480 | 170 | 0.41 | 3.65 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (33-3010), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Protective Service Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 33-3011 Bailiffs.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 33-3011, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 33-3011.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.