Correctional Officer pay range
Commonwealth of Kentucky · class code 20000638
- Class code
- 20000638
- Pay grade
- 10
- Pay unit
- Month
- Alternate ranges
- 3
- State
- Kentucky
- The Commonwealth of Kentucky published pay range for Correctional Officer is $2,509 to $4,014 per month, spanning every alternate range the plan defines.
- Kentucky publishes an entry rate and a midpoint for each pay grade, not a maximum, so the upper figure on this page is the grade midpoint.
- That works out to about $30,104 to $48,167 a year at full time.
- Kentucky Personnel Cabinet keys this classification as class code 20000638.
- The plan defines 3 alternate ranges for this class, so the rate depends on which criteria an employee meets.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Alternate ranges
| Range | Entry | Midpoint | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range 37.5-hour week | $2,509 | $3,763 | per month |
| Range 40-hour week | $2,676 | $4,014 | per month |
| Range Hourly | $15.44 | $23.16 | per hour |
Which alternate range applies is set by the plan's own criteria (experience, certification or assignment). The criteria text lives in the source document.
Class specification
The Personnel Cabinet class specification for this class is published by Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 03/16/2024.
What the state says the job is
Maintains custody and control of inmates, juveniles, or patients in a custodial security setting or performs related special assignments; and performs other duties as required.
Examples of the work
Stands watch in corridors of buildings, towers, and other security posts. Takes required action during emergencies to prevent escapes and suppress disorders. Oversees inmates, patients, or juveniles inside and outside of the institution. Takes periodic counts of inmates, patients, or juveniles. Searches inmate's, patient's, or juvenile's person, mail, and quarters for contraband. Oversees work or recreational activities. Oversees inmates, patients, or juveniles during bathing and meals. Counsels inmates, patients, or juveniles on minor adjustment problems and refers serious problems to proper staff specialists.
Minimum qualifications
EDUCATION: High school graduate. EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: NONE Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
Special requirements
Must be twenty years of age. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license to qualify for employment in this job classification. For the Department of Juvenile Justice, must successfully complete the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy within six months of employment.
Quoted from the Personnel Cabinet class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet publishes this figure in Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule, effective September 16, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their pay grades come from the Job Specification Search, joined to the salary schedule.
Nearby classes in Kentucky
Correctional Officer in other states
| State | Entry | Midpoint | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,132 | $65,436 | $39,132 to $65,436 |
| California | $4,479 | $9,203 | $53,748 to $110,436 |
| Florida | $48,133 | $93,585 | $48,133 to $93,585 |
| Idaho | $49,368 | $98,736 | $49,368 to $98,736 |
| Illinois | $61,524 | $88,584 | $61,524 to $88,584 |
| Indiana | $42,900 | $60,112 | $42,900 to $60,112 |
| Maine | $23.92 | $30.89 | $49,754 to $64,251 |
| Nevada | $70,658 | $105,068 | $70,658 to $105,068 |
| New Mexico | $22.62 | $33.93 | $47,050 to $70,574 |
| South Carolina | $40,800 | $51,000 | $40,800 to $51,000 |
| Wisconsin | $35.37 | $41.89 | $73,570 to $87,131 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.