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Law & Government

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

Median salary (BLS)

$77,970

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$52k – $128k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $105,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$8,200–$27,000

Time to qualify

2.5 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    Bar exam / state licensure / academy

    License

    Lawyers: the state bar exam. Public-safety roles: a training academy plus state certification.

    $200–$5,000 · 6 months · varies by state source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

    Entry / Junior

    $52,330

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

    Established

    $77,970

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

    Senior

    $102,875

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
  • •Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
  • •Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
  • •Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
  • •Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Law & Government

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.