First-line supervisors of correctional officers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
First-line supervisors of correctional officers directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers. The role reports a median annual salary of $76,310 in the US and is projected to decline by 3% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows low AI exposure (0.29 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Monitoring, Active Listening, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £41,287 a year for Prison service officers (below principal officer) (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3314). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Service and sales workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only First-line supervisors of correctional officers, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 5. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
A day in the life
You start your shift at the prison with a briefing from the outgoing supervisor, then oversee the morning count of inmates to confirm everyone is accounted for. You assign your officers to their posts, checking that each knows the day's risks and duties. Mid-morning you lead a planned search of a cell block, supervising officers as they look for phones, drugs and weapons, and record what is found. You walk the units regularly, speaking with officers and inmates and settling small disputes before they grow. When an alarm signals a fight, you coordinate the response and make sure injured inmates get medical care. After lunch you review incident reports, check that rules and procedures are being followed and brief a new officer. The day ends with another count and handover. The work is stressful and demands constant alertness, but keeping staff and inmates safe is an important responsibility.
In India: In India this role is typically held by jailers and deputy superintendents working in state prison departments.
Illustrative: one typical day, written from the O*NET task statements for this occupation. Real days vary by employer and seniority.
What you'd actually do
- Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
- Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
- Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
- Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
- Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.
- Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does First-line supervisors of correctional officers do?
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
What does a typical day look like in First-line supervisors of correctional officers?
You start your shift at the prison with a briefing from the outgoing supervisor, then oversee the morning count of inmates to confirm everyone is accounted for. You assign your officers to their posts, checking that each knows the day's risks and duties. Mid-morning you lead a planned search of a cell block, supervising officers as they look for phones, drugs and weapons, and record what is found.
How much does First-line supervisors of correctional officers earn?
The median annual salary for First-line supervisors of correctional officers in the US is $76,310.
What is the job outlook for First-line supervisors of correctional officers?
The role is projected to decline by 3% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 57,100 workers.
How do I become first-line supervisors of correctional officers?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does First-line supervisors of correctional officers need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Monitoring, Active Listening, Coordination, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace First-line supervisors of correctional officers?
Our AI-durability model gives First-line supervisors of correctional officers a score of 0.29 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
First-line supervisors of correctional officers has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.