SOC 33-3012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Correctional Officers and Jailers — Chicago
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Chicago, IL is $84,550 per year, well above the national median of $58,940.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Chicago, IL is $84,550 per year, well above the national median of $58,940. The gap of 43.5% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $67,760 and $94,770. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $61,000 and the ninetieth at $95,990.
The area has 4,940 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Peoria records the highest median at $64,540. Of the 716 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 205th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $61,000 | +3.5% |
| 25th | $67,760 | +15.0% |
| Median (50th) | $84,550 | +43.5% |
| 75th | $94,770 | +60.8% |
| 90th | $95,990 | +62.9% |
| Mean | $80,440 | +36.5% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria | $64,540 | 220 | |
| 2 | Springfield | $60,590 | 140 | |
| 3 | Rockford | $56,650 | 250 | |
| 4 | Champaign | $55,840 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Chicago sit close to the national average, so $84,550 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$84,550as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$84,550US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $84,550 a year, 43.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $61,000 to $95,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,940 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Peoria, at $64,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Chicago, IL?
The median annual wage is $84,550, or $40.65 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,940, so pay in Chicago, IL is 43.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Chicago, IL earns more than $95,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $61,000 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Peoria, at $64,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,940 jobs in this occupation in Chicago, IL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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