Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (SOC 21-1092) earn a median $66,270 a year ($31.86 an hour) in the United States, with 89,390 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is California.
What probation officers and correctional treatment specialists do
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists supervise and assist people who have been placed on probation or released on parole, and counsel people in custody, with the aim of supporting rehabilitation. Typical tasks include preparing and maintaining a case file for each assigned offender, gathering background information by talking to offenders, their families, and other contacts, interviewing probationers and parolees regularly to see how they are meeting the conditions of release, and discussing how issues such as drug and alcohol abuse or anger management affect their progress. Officers recommend rehabilitation plans, release conditions, and education and employment stipulations, may arrange medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment according to individual needs, and may initiate court action or recommend remedial action when the terms of probation are not followed. Correctional treatment specialists do similar case planning for people in institutions. The occupation differs from police officers and detectives, who investigate crimes and make arrests, from correctional officers, who guard and manage inmates, and from social workers. Supervision of people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and investigation of alleged parole violations are part of the work too.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported education level is a bachelor's degree.
Also called: Community Supervision Officer, Adult Probation Officer, Community Corrections Specialist, Adult Probation and Parole Officer, Attendance Officer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $22.52 | $26.08 | $31.86 | $40.76 | $51.82 | $35.16 | 89,390 |
| Annual | $46,840 | $54,250 | $66,270 | $84,780 | $107,790 | $73,130 | ||
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 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists 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 | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $31.16 | $38.61 | $49.83 | $59.39 | $67.77 | $50.69 | 13,900 | 0.76 | 1.33 |
| Annual | $64,820 | $80,300 | $103,640 | $123,540 | $140,950 | $105,440 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $32.85 | $38.88 | $46.81 | $56.45 | $60.90 | $46.66 | 1,200 | 0.71 | 1.23 |
| Annual | $68,330 | $80,870 | $97,350 | $117,410 | $126,680 | $97,050 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $29.41 | $35.68 | $45.48 | $55.01 | $55.12 | $44.67 | 1,200 | 0.33 | 0.57 |
| Annual | $61,160 | $74,210 | $94,590 | $114,420 | $114,660 | $92,910 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $30.27 | $34.36 | $40.83 | $48.08 | $51.64 | $41.45 | 1,260 | 0.64 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $62,960 | $71,470 | $84,920 | $100,010 | $107,400 | $86,210 | ||||
| Vermont | Hourly | $31.12 | $35.42 | $40.30 | $43.81 | $47.19 | $39.66 | 190 | 0.61 | 1.06 |
| Annual | $64,730 | $73,670 | $83,820 | $91,120 | $98,160 | $82,490 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $31.16 | $38.61 | $49.83 | $59.39 | $67.77 | $50.69 | 13,900 | 0.76 | 1.33 |
| Annual | $64,820 | $80,300 | $103,640 | $123,540 | $140,950 | $105,440 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $22.13 | $23.13 | $25.43 | $30.36 | $35.72 | $27.17 | 8,100 | 0.58 | 1.00 |
| Annual | $46,020 | $48,100 | $52,880 | $63,150 | $74,290 | $56,510 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $18.44 | $21.63 | $24.50 | $28.12 | $31.22 | $25.27 | 4,490 | 0.45 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $38,350 | $44,990 | $50,960 | $58,490 | $64,940 | $52,570 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $26.23 | $32.94 | $38.63 | $46.23 | $49.43 | $38.93 | 4,360 | 0.45 | 0.78 |
| Annual | $54,560 | $68,510 | $80,350 | $96,160 | $102,810 | $80,970 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $23.24 | $26.55 | $32.39 | $40.04 | $43.15 | $33.39 | 4,310 | 0.71 | 1.24 |
| Annual | $48,340 | $55,220 | $67,370 | $83,280 | $89,750 | $69,440 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $51.32 | $62.44 | $69.43 | $69.43 | $83.49 | $66.07 | 560 | 0.49 | 0.85 |
| Annual | $106,740 | $129,880 | $144,410 | $144,410 | $173,650 | $137,430 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $40.63 | $51.05 | $65.33 | $65.44 | $74.93 | $60.56 | 830 | 0.35 | 0.61 |
| Annual | $84,510 | $106,190 | $135,890 | $136,120 | $155,860 | $125,960 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $36.96 | $47.28 | $51.99 | $57.40 | $62.17 | $51.41 | 4,700 | 0.75 | 1.30 |
| Annual | $76,880 | $98,340 | $108,150 | $119,380 | $129,310 | $106,940 | ||||
| Rochester, MN | Hourly | $38.29 | $38.29 | $50.65 | $50.65 | $56.89 | $47.13 | 70 | 0.61 | 1.05 |
| Annual | $79,640 | $79,640 | $105,350 | $105,350 | $118,340 | $98,030 | ||||
| St. Cloud, MN | Hourly | $37.98 | $38.45 | $49.89 | $57.08 | $57.08 | $48.04 | 60 | 0.56 | 0.97 |
| Annual | $79,000 | $79,970 | $103,770 | $118,720 | $118,720 | $99,930 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $36.96 | $47.28 | $51.99 | $57.40 | $62.17 | $51.41 | 4,700 | 0.75 | 1.30 |
| Annual | $76,880 | $98,340 | $108,150 | $119,380 | $129,310 | $106,940 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $25.10 | $29.10 | $38.16 | $48.63 | $51.82 | $39.40 | 3,490 | 0.37 | 0.64 |
| Annual | $52,210 | $60,530 | $79,370 | $101,140 | $107,790 | $81,960 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $22.93 | $24.26 | $24.91 | $30.52 | $37.41 | $27.58 | 2,320 | 0.71 | 1.23 |
| Annual | $47,690 | $50,470 | $51,820 | $63,480 | $77,820 | $57,360 | ||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $25.67 | $29.67 | $35.73 | $40.79 | $49.12 | $35.95 | 1,890 | 0.65 | 1.13 |
| Annual | $53,390 | $61,710 | $74,310 | $84,850 | $102,170 | $74,780 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $24.26 | $28.82 | $32.51 | $51.79 | $51.79 | $37.60 | 1,560 | 0.35 | 0.60 |
| Annual | $50,460 | $59,950 | $67,610 | $107,710 | $107,710 | $78,200 | ||||
Top industries employing probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) employ 50.2% of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists nationally (44,840 jobs) at a median $66,270 a year ($31.86 an hour), followed by Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (46.9%) and Individual and Family Services (1.4%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 44,840 | 50.2% | $66,270 | $31.86 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 41,880 | 46.9% | $70,260 | $33.78 |
| Individual and Family Services NAICS 624100 | 1,270 | 1.4% | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Other Residential Care Facilities NAICS 623900 | 560 | 0.6% | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| Facilities Support Services NAICS 561200 | 500 | 0.6% | $55,460 | $26.66 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (89,390). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $60,250 for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in May 2021 and $66,270 in May 2025, with employment of 92,140 and 89,390.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $60,250 | $28.97 | 92,140 |
| May 2022 | $59,860 | $28.78 | 89,920 |
| May 2023 | $61,800 | $29.71 | 85,870 |
| May 2024 | $64,520 | $31.02 | 86,820 |
| May 2025 | $66,270 | $31.86 | 89,390 |
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
46 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 | California profile | $49.83 | $103,640 | $64,820 | $140,950 | 13,900 | 0.76 | 1.33 |
| 2 | Connecticut profile | $46.81 | $97,350 | $68,330 | $126,680 | 1,200 | 0.71 | 1.23 |
| 3 | Massachusetts profile | $45.48 | $94,590 | $61,160 | $114,660 | 1,200 | 0.33 | 0.57 |
| 4 | Oregon profile | $40.83 | $84,920 | $62,960 | $107,400 | 1,260 | 0.64 | 1.12 |
| 5 | Vermont profile | $40.30 | $83,820 | $64,730 | $98,160 | 190 | 0.61 | 1.06 |
| 6 | Washington profile | $39.79 | $82,750 | $69,600 | $104,260 | 2,150 | 0.61 | 1.06 |
| 7 | Delaware profile | $39.37 | $81,880 | $56,260 | $102,000 | 380 | 0.79 | 1.38 |
| 8 | Minnesota profile | $39.22 | $81,580 | $56,650 | $104,150 | 2,040 | 0.69 | 1.20 |
| 9 | New York profile | $38.63 | $80,350 | $54,560 | $102,810 | 4,360 | 0.45 | 0.78 |
| 10 | New Jersey profile | $38.60 | $80,280 | $52,210 | $107,790 | 2,890 | 0.67 | 1.17 |
| 11 | Michigan profile | $38.35 | $79,760 | $55,900 | $83,180 | 2,190 | 0.50 | 0.86 |
| 12 | Iowa profile | $37.21 | $77,390 | $57,410 | $94,810 | 950 | 0.61 | 1.06 |
| 13 | Alaska profile | $37.02 | $77,000 | $54,310 | $118,020 | 480 | 1.48 | 2.57 |
| 14 | Maryland profile | $36.73 | $76,390 | $60,010 | $96,370 | 1,370 | 0.50 | 0.86 |
| 15 | Nevada profile | $36.46 | $75,840 | $54,720 | $95,150 | 780 | 0.50 | 0.88 |
| 16 | Illinois profile | $35.76 | $74,390 | $49,330 | $107,710 | 2,590 | 0.42 | 0.74 |
| 17 | Hawaii profile | $35.49 | $73,830 | $58,300 | $89,810 | 40 | 0.06 | 0.11 |
| 18 | Colorado profile | $34.46 | $71,680 | $51,940 | $96,770 | 2,540 | 0.88 | 1.54 |
| 19 | Maine profile | $34.20 | $71,140 | $53,790 | $73,990 | 160 | 0.25 | 0.43 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania profile | $32.39 | $67,370 | $48,340 | $89,750 | 4,310 | 0.71 | 1.24 |
| 21 | South Dakota profile | $32.15 | $66,870 | $58,760 | $78,540 | 280 | 0.61 | 1.06 |
| 22 | New Mexico profile | $31.73 | $66,000 | $54,640 | $86,240 | 620 | 0.71 | 1.23 |
| 23 | North Dakota profile | $31.32 | $65,140 | $51,200 | $80,330 | 250 | 0.59 | 1.02 |
| 24 | Nebraska profile | $30.51 | $63,460 | $42,540 | $81,370 | 560 | 0.54 | 0.95 |
| 25 | Louisiana profile | $30.25 | $62,910 | $44,230 | $85,060 | 980 | 0.50 | 0.88 |
| 26 | North Carolina profile | $29.91 | $62,220 | $45,410 | $75,180 | 3,310 | 0.67 | 1.17 |
| 27 | Kansas profile | $29.75 | $61,890 | $49,480 | $76,110 | 760 | 0.53 | 0.92 |
| 28 | Ohio profile | $29.39 | $61,120 | $46,480 | $79,640 | 3,310 | 0.60 | 1.04 |
| 29 | Alabama profile | $29.35 | $61,050 | $42,300 | $84,270 | 1,080 | 0.51 | 0.89 |
| 30 | Arizona profile | $29.28 | $60,910 | $45,790 | $80,380 | 1,100 | 0.34 | 0.59 |
| 31 | Georgia profile | $28.98 | $60,270 | $45,280 | $71,570 | 2,650 | 0.54 | 0.94 |
| 32 | Indiana profile | $28.93 | $60,170 | $43,610 | $81,160 | 2,270 | 0.71 | 1.23 |
| 33 | Idaho profile | $28.74 | $59,780 | $47,470 | $77,210 | 760 | 0.88 | 1.54 |
| 34 | Montana profile | $28.72 | $59,750 | $48,390 | $74,280 | 360 | 0.71 | 1.23 |
| 35 | Kentucky profile | $28.66 | $59,610 | $54,070 | $69,000 | 830 | 0.42 | 0.73 |
| 36 | Virginia profile | $28.28 | $58,820 | $46,320 | $77,010 | 2,730 | 0.66 | 1.15 |
| 37 | Tennessee profile | $27.89 | $58,010 | $45,610 | $69,470 | 2,120 | 0.65 | 1.12 |
| 38 | South Carolina profile | $27.30 | $56,780 | $51,110 | $84,710 | 460 | 0.20 | 0.35 |
| 39 | Wyoming profile | $27.20 | $56,580 | $48,010 | $74,060 | 200 | 0.71 | 1.23 |
| 40 | West Virginia profile | $25.54 | $53,120 | $37,640 | $73,190 | 890 | 1.27 | 2.21 |
| 41 | Texas profile | $25.43 | $52,880 | $46,020 | $74,290 | 8,100 | 0.58 | 1.00 |
| 42 | Arkansas profile | $24.61 | $51,180 | $37,030 | $63,750 | 850 | 0.65 | 1.13 |
| 43 | Florida profile | $24.50 | $50,960 | $38,350 | $64,940 | 4,490 | 0.45 | 0.79 |
| 44 | Oklahoma profile | $24.22 | $50,380 | $38,310 | $62,980 | 870 | 0.51 | 0.88 |
| 45 | Missouri profile | $22.52 | $46,840 | $42,960 | $51,710 | 2,290 | 0.78 | 1.36 |
| 46 | Mississippi profile | $16.40 | $34,110 | $28,640 | $50,730 | 150 | 0.13 | 0.22 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (21-1090), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Community and Social 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 21-1092 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.
- 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 21-1092, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 21-1092.00, 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.