Salary guide
Probation Officer Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What probation officers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median probation officer salary in the U.S. is $66,270 per year, or $31.86 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $46,840, while the top 10% earned more than $107,790.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Probation Officer pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,840 | $22.52 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $54,250 | $26.08 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $66,270 | $31.86 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $84,780 | $40.76 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $107,790 | $51.82 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $54,250 | $66,270 | $84,780 |
| Per month | $4,521 | $5,523 | $7,065 |
| Every two weeks | $2,087 | $2,549 | $3,261 |
| Per week | $1,043 | $1,274 | $1,630 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects probation officer pay
- Agency size and local government budgets
- Rank, seniority and specialty assignments
- Overtime, shift differentials and court time
- State licensing and armed-guard credentials for security work
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a probation officer
- Get credentialed: State probation officer certification, Motivational interviewing training, Risk assessment tool certification.
- Build specialty experience: Supervise a caseload.
- Move up: roles such as senior or specialized officer and supervisor or chief probation officer typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Probation Officer pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of probation officers to change by +3.0% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,900 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 21-1092 (“Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Probation Officer salary FAQ
How much does a probation officer make per hour?
The median hourly wage for probation officers was $31.86 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $22.52 and the top 10% earned about $51.82 or more.
How much does a probation officer make a month?
At the median annual wage of $66,270, that works out to about $5,523 per month before taxes, or about $2,549 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a probation officer?
New probation officers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $46,840 and the 25th percentile was $54,250 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can probation officers earn more?
Common ways include earning State probation officer certification and Motivational interviewing training, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior or specialized officer.
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.