SOC 33-3012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Correctional Officers and Jailers — Virginia
Virginia · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Virginia is $50,140 per year, 14.9% below 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 Virginia is $50,140 per year, 14.9% below the national median of $58,940. Half of workers earn between $47,570 and $59,030. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,320 and the ninetieth at $70,570.
The area has 11,270 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.7 of every thousand jobs. Virginia ranks number 36th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Winchester records the highest median at $54,390. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 483rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,320 | −21.4% |
| 25th | $47,570 | −19.3% |
| Median (50th) | $50,140 | −14.9% |
| 75th | $59,030 | +0.2% |
| 90th | $70,570 | +19.7% |
| Mean | $54,450 | −7.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winchester | $54,390 | 130 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $52,700 | 300 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $51,660 | 1,930 | |
| 4 | Harrisonburg | $50,950 | 100 | |
| 5 | Blacksburg | $50,170 | 150 | |
| 6 | Roanoke | $50,070 | 270 | |
| 7 | Virginia Beach | $49,900 | 1,520 | |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $49,290 | 300 | |
| 9 | Staunton | $47,850 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia sit close to the national average, so $50,140 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$50,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,594US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,140 a year, 14.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,320 to $70,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 11,270 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 36th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Winchester, at $54,390.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in Virginia?
The median annual wage is $50,140, or $24.11 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 Virginia is 14.9% lower. 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 Virginia earns more than $70,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,320 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 Winchester, at $54,390 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 11,270 jobs in this occupation in Virginia. 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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