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What is a jail officer and how to become one
Avg. Salary $40,440
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate -10%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.92%
Asian 2.01%
Black or African American 17.11%
Hispanic or Latino 14.38%
Unknown 5.21%
White 60.36%
Genderfemale 35.23%
male 64.77%
Age - 40American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 40Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Newest jobs for Jail Officer in Columbus, OH
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Jail Officer career paths
Key steps to become a jail officer
Explore jail officer education requirements
Start to develop specific jail officer skills
Skills 
Percentages Booking 19.18% Security Checks 10.30% Security Procedures 9.42% Emergency Situations 8.70% Direct Supervision 7.98% Complete relevant jail officer training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New jail officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a jail officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real jail officer resumes.Research jail officer duties and responsibilities
- Job description includes booking in and managing inmates in correctional facility.
- Administer first aid and CPR whenever necessary.
- Experience and certification in VCIN, and CPR.
- Run and enter information into NCIC computer network as needed.
Prepare your jail officer resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your jail officer resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a jail officer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Jail Officer Resume templates
Build a professional Jail Officer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Jail Officer resume.
Apply for jail officer jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a jail officer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Jail Officer Job
Are you a Jail Officer?
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Average jail officer salary
The average Jail Officer salary in the United States is $40,440 per year or $19 per hour. Jail officer salaries range between $29,000 and $55,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do jail officers rate their job?
Jail Officer reviews
Accountability
Cert don't have to help work post when facilities are short..
I enjoy working with different officers from many places around the country. Working a 12 hour shift 4 days a week with 2 days off, makes the people you work with all like family. Enjoy seeing I/M's getting released.
Dirty officers, mistreatment of I/M's, lack of help from higher up management, being required to work days off because we can't keep staff.
Pay and benefits are good for a family provider. The friendships with fellow officers lasts a lifetime. With overtime, I earned in pay and benefits, $3.5 million. I retired at 59.
Political leaders will always find more ways to change prison from a justice system to a therapy community. Giving retirement like benefits to those who robbed your homes and stores, raped your children and wives, and broke your laws.
Updated January 8, 2025
