Online Corrections Degree in Florida: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Florida employs about 24,280 correctional officers and jailers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through the hiring agency or your state corrections department on current requirements. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare corrections programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Florida
Correctional officer hiring runs through an agency academy and background process the degree does not replace; probation and treatment-specialist roles more commonly ask for the bachelor’s. Requirements are set agency by agency and state by state, and change.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the hiring agency or your state corrections department on current requirements that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Correctional Officers and Jailers Earn in Florida
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Florida earn a median $49,710 per year, below the national median of $58,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Corrections Pay and Employment in Florida at a Glance
| Metric | Florida | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $49,710 | $58,940 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $45,760 | $42,760 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $47,130 | $48,640 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $65,230 | $75,850 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $80,500 | $93,220 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 24,280 | 380,500 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.0 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | -7.8% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Florida Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Florida median of $49,710 sits below the national median of $58,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.0 puts Florida slightly above the national average, so the occupation is a little more common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Florida
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Wildwood | $67,770 | 980 |
| Miami | $66,770 | 5,010 |
| North Port | $66,150 | 470 |
| Tampa | $65,340 | 2,170 |
| Naples | $64,080 | 310 |
| Jacksonville | $61,770 | 1,060 |
| Palm Bay | $59,980 | 230 |
| Gainesville | $50,020 | 530 |
| Port St. Lucie | $49,380 | 510 |
| Lakeland | $49,280 | 710 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Corrections employment tracks facility locations, which are often outside major metros - one of the few public-safety fields where smaller markets carry deep hiring.
Correctional Officers and Jailers Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), correctional officers and jailers wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 5,010 | $66,770 | $70,650 | $48,260 | $97,830 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 2,170 | $65,340 | $67,160 | $44,660 | $95,210 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 1,260 | $48,030 | $50,020 | $44,890 | $62,620 |
| Tallahassee | 1,180 | $48,170 | $52,150 | $45,760 | $66,390 |
| Jacksonville | 1,060 | $61,770 | $65,980 | $45,760 | $79,890 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 1,040 | $47,130 | $49,200 | $39,570 | $64,370 |
| Ocala | 980 | $47,130 | $49,620 | $45,760 | $58,550 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | 980 | $67,770 | $64,210 | $47,130 | $79,390 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 710 | $49,280 | $52,660 | $45,760 | $66,420 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 550 | $47,130 | $48,570 | $45,760 | $51,000 |
| Gainesville | 530 | $50,020 | $52,550 | $44,890 | $63,260 |
| Port St. Lucie | 510 | $49,380 | $59,730 | $46,970 | $100,740 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 470 | $66,150 | $69,580 | $44,500 | $85,010 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 450 | $47,770 | $49,590 | $44,890 | $58,470 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | 410 | $47,130 | $49,840 | $45,760 | $58,990 |
| Punta Gorda | 410 | $47,130 | $52,990 | $45,760 | $70,410 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 310 | $64,080 | $70,100 | $44,660 | $95,130 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 230 | $59,980 | $60,840 | $44,660 | $74,780 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 70 | $44,660 | $48,030 | $42,740 | $61,870 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Florida Metro Areas With Published Data
Crestview * Deltona * Gainesville * Jacksonville * Lakeland * Miami * Naples * North Port * Ocala * Orlando * Palm Bay * Panama City * Pensacola * Port St. Lucie * Punta Gorda * Tallahassee * Tampa * Wildwood
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do correctional officers and jailers make in Florida?
The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers in Florida is $49,710, below the national median of $58,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $47,130 at the 25th percentile to $65,230 at the 75th.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Florida?
Florida holds about 24,280 corrections professional jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 380,500, and BLS projects about 30,100 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a corrections professional in Florida?
Correctional officer hiring runs through an agency academy and background process the degree does not replace; probation and treatment-specialist roles more commonly ask for the bachelor's. Requirements are set agency by agency and state by state, and change. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the hiring agency or your state corrections department on current requirements before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a corrections associate or bachelor's online while working in Florida?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies the hiring agency or your state corrections department on current requirements.
What is the highest-paying area of Florida for correctional officers and jailers?
Among Florida metro areas with published data, Wildwood reports the highest median at $67,770 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Florida a good state for correctional officers and jailers?
On pay, the state median of $49,710 sits below the national $58,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.0 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Corrections programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Paralegal career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Correctional Officers and Jailers (SOC 33-3012), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.