Correctional officers and jailers
SOC Code: 33-3012
Correctional officers and jailers carries a 43% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $57,970 and -7.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 387,500 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 43% AI exposure, Correctional officers and jailers sits 6 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 76% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Correctional officers and jailers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Correctional officers and jailers has ai exposure of 43%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Correctional officers and jailers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Correctional officers and jailers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Correctional officers and jailers (SOC 33-3012) carries an AI exposure score of 43%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 387,500 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -7.8% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $57,970, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Correctional officers and jailers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
- 2. Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
- 3. Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
- 4. Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
- 5. Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
- 6. Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
- 7. Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
- 8. Search for and recapture escapees.
- 9. Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
- 10. Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Persuasion
- Active Learning
- Negotiation
Knowledge Areas
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Psychology
- Administrative
- Education and Training
- Telecommunications
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Correctional officers and jailers?
Correctional officers and jailers has an AI exposure score of 43%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Correctional officers and jailers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Correctional officers and jailers is projected to decline by 7.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 387,500 workers.
What skills are needed for Correctional officers and jailers?
Key skills for Correctional officers and jailers include Active Listening, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Correctional officers and jailers earn?
The median annual wage for Correctional officers and jailers is $57,970, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Correctional officers and jailers?
The typical entry-level education for Correctional officers and jailers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Correctional officers and jailers?
Correctional officers and jailers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).