Correctional Officer
Keep order and safety inside jails and prisons.
- $58,940
- 2–4 months (academy)
Public Safety & Security career
Probation Officer
Also called: Parole Officer · Community Supervision Officer · Correctional Treatment Specialist · Juvenile Probation Officer
What probation officers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a probation officer do?
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists supervise people on probation or parole, assess risks and needs, connect them with services and report to courts. The median pay is $66,270 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years plus agency training, and employment is projected to grow +3.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$66,270$31.86/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year7,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4 years plus agency trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs93,700Employment, 2025
What probation officers do
Probation and parole officers help people serving sentences in the community stay on track. They meet with clients, conduct home and work visits, drug tests and risk assessments, create case plans, connect clients with treatment, education and jobs, and report violations and progress to courts and parole boards. Correctional treatment specialists plan rehabilitation inside facilities.
Most officers have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related field and complete agency training. The job combines law enforcement and social work, with heavy caseloads and real chances to help people change.
Typical duties
- Supervise people on probation or parole
- Conduct risk and needs assessments
- Develop case plans
- Make home and work visits
- Conduct drug tests
- Refer clients to treatment and services
- Write court reports and recommend actions
Work environment and schedule
Officers work in offices, courts and the community, visiting homes and workplaces, sometimes in unsafe neighborhoods.
Schedule: Most work full-time; some evening visits, on-call duty and court deadlines.
A day in the life
- Review caseload and today’s appointments.
- Meet a client to review job search progress.
- Conduct a drug test and discuss treatment options.
- Write a presentence investigation report.
See a full day in the life of a probation officer →
Probation Officer salary
Half of probation officers earned more than $66,270 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,840 for the lowest 10% to $107,790 for the top 10%.
Full probation officer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a probation officer
- Earn a degree
- Gain experience
- Apply to agencies
- Complete training
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related field is typical. Officers complete agency training and may need state certification.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a probation officer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Risk assessment
- Case planning
- Court report writing
- Drug testing procedures
- Community resource knowledge
People skills
- Communication
- Empathy with boundaries
- Organization
- Judgment
All probation officer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Help people turn their lives around
- Government benefits
- Mix of office and field work
- Variety of cases
Cons
- Heavy caseloads
- Emotionally demanding
- Safety risks during visits
- Lots of paperwork
Certifications and licenses
- State probation officer certification: Required in many states.
- Motivational interviewing training: Evidence-based communication training.
- Risk assessment tool certification: Training on tools such as LSI-R or ORAS.
- Defensive tactics or safety training: Training for field safety.
Career path
- Probation Officer Trainee: Learn assessments and supervision.
- Probation Officer: Supervise a caseload.
- Senior or Specialized Officer: Handle high-risk or specialized caseloads.
- Supervisor or Chief Probation Officer: Lead teams or departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Probation Officer training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as conduct a supervision meeting and write a presentence investigation report, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Social Worker
Help children and families stay safe, get support and overcome hard times.
- $59,550
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Substance Abuse Counselor
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Police Officer
Protect communities, respond to calls, investigate crimes and enforce the law.
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Compare: Probation Officer vs. Correctional Officer · Probation Officer vs. Social Worker · Probation Officer vs. Addiction Counselor · Probation Officer vs. Police Officer
Probation Officer FAQ
Do probation officers need a degree?
Usually a bachelor’s degree.
Are probation officers law enforcement?
In some states they’re sworn officers; in others they’re civilian.
What’s the difference between probation and parole?
Probation replaces jail; parole follows prison.
How much does a probation officer make?
The median annual wage for probation officers was $66,270 ($31.86 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,840 and the highest 10% earned more than $107,790.
How long does it take to become a probation officer?
Most people need about 4 years plus agency training of training. A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related field is typical. Officers complete agency training and may need state certification.
Do you need a degree to be a probation officer?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More probation officer questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 21-1092 (Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.