How Much Does a Probation Officer Get Paid?
Probation officers manage and counsel those who have been placed on probation as part of their sentencing for criminal behavior. They ensure that their charges stay out of trouble and meet all sentencing requirements. A bachelor's degree is the typical requirement, along with passing oral, written and psychological exams. In addition, many jurisdictions require officers to complete a state or federal training program and pass a certification test.
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Pay
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Probation officers are paid $22.37 per hour, or $46,530 per year as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bottom 10 percent earns $14.69, or $30,540, while the top 10 percent earns $37.91, or $78,860. Additionally, the lowest 25 percent gets $17.32, or $36,030, while the highest 25 percent receives $29.84, or $62,080.
Industries
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Salaries vary by hiring industry, with this job's highest-paying found in general hospitals, with wages at $27.83, or $57,890; elementary and secondary schools at $24.91, or $51,810; and state government at $24.76, or $51,490. Numbers are based on May 2009 statistics.
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States
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The state in which a job is performed influences pay. This job's best-paying employers are located in California, with pay at $37.03, or $77,020; New Jersey at $30.07, or $62,540; and Minnesota at $29.53, or $61,430. These states do not match the ones with the greatest concentration of probation officers, which are Delaware, with compensation at $22.37, or $46,520; Oregon at $23.10, or $48,050, and Idaho at $18.96, or $39,440. These salaries are based on May 2009 numbers.
Cities
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The city of employment also determines compensation. The top-paying employers are found in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with offerings at $30.92, or $64,310; Chicago, Illinois, at $29.68, or $61,730; and Camden, New Jersey, at $29.66, or $61,690. These cities do not match the ones with greatest number of jobs per capita, which are Cumberland, Maryland, with pay at $24.51, or $50,980; Olympia, Washington, at $23.56, or $49,000; and Lake Havasu City, Arizona, at $19.87, or $41,320. These numbers are based on May 2009 data.
Outlook
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The BLS sees jobs increasing by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than average for all positions. The growth stems from mandatory sentencing guidelines and state budget cuts that emphasize probation rather than more costly incarceration. In addition, officers will be needed to manage the large numbers of those currently in prison once they are released. As of May 2008, employment of probation offices stands at 103,400, with a projected need of 123,300 by 2018.
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References
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