Correctional Officer III pay range
State of North Carolina · class code 32001089
- Class code
- 32001089
- Pay group
- NC07
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- North Carolina
- The State of North Carolina published pay range for Correctional Officer III is $37,377 to $65,408 per year.
- North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) keys this classification as class code 32001089.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Class specification
The OSHR class specification for this class is published by North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR). 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 06/2018.
What the state says the job is
Employees are accountable for the custody and supervision of inmates assigned to close-custody institutions. Employees function under the unit management concept which includes maximum security units. Assigned posts may include: gatehouse, tower, yard, canteen, warehouse, clothes house or housing unit, including restrictive housing. Employee assignments involve contact with inmates with serious mental and/or behavior problems requiring the officer to use extensive experience and communication skills in influencing the attitudes and motivation of offenders. Two armed officers are required to escort all inmates throughout the facility at all times.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Thorough knowledge of criminal attitudes, inmate characteristics, psychology, habits, behavior patterns and methods of discipline and the social factors underlying criminal behavior. Thorough knowledge of various policies and procedures associated with the control and management of inmates. Thorough knowledge of procedures for admitting, processing, discharging and transferring persons assigned to the facility. Thorough knowledge of basic record keeping. Skill in the use of all equipment, weapons, hand-held or stationary metal detectors and unarmed self-defense tactics. Skill in the use of specialized equipment: riot gear, protective vests, restraints, stun shield, etc. Skill and insight in ...
Minimum qualifications
High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two years of experience as a Correctional Officer; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. For Trainee Appointment: High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Special requirements
Must be eligible for certification by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education & Training Standards Commission. <h2
Quoted from the OSHR class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) publishes this figure in OSHR salary schedules, joined to Class Specifications. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their salary grades come from the Class Specifications, joined to the salary schedule.
Nearby classes in North Carolina
Correctional Officer III in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $33,600 | $59,050 | $33,600 to $59,050 |
| Texas | $38,976 | $58,045 | $38,976 to $58,045 |
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.