First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Also called: Commissary Manager, Correction Officer Supervisor, Correction Warden, Correctional Captain, Correctional Case Records Supervisor, Correctional Housing Unit Manager, Correctional Officer Captain, Correctional Program Supervisor
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
What first-line supervisors of correctional officers do
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.
- Monitor behavior of subordinates to ensure alert, courteous, and professional behavior toward inmates, parolees, fellow employees, visitors, and the public.
- Restrain, secure, or control offenders, using chemical agents, firearms, or other weapons of force as necessary.
- Carry injured offenders or employees to safety and provide emergency first aid when necessary.
- Complete administrative paperwork or supervise the preparation or maintenance of records, forms, or reports.
- Supervise activities, such as searches, shakedowns, riot control, or institutional tours.
- Conduct roll calls of correctional officers.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers salary
The median annual wage for first-line supervisors of correctional officers is $77,970 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $52,330 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $127,780. The mean annual wage is $84,380.
The mean hourly wage of $40.00 is 5.5× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $77,970 → in 3 years $84,800 → in 5 years $89,700 → in 10 years $103,100 (10-year range $88,700–$119,700). The model assumes pay growth of +2.8% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become first-line supervisors of correctional officers
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as first-line supervisors of correctional officers
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.