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Careers in Criminal Justice: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Careers

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Summary

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Quick Facts: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
2020 Median Pay $55,690 per year
$26.77 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training Short-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2020 92,700
Job Outlook, 2020-30 4% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2020-30 3,500

What Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Do

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.

Work Environment

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work with probationers and parolees. Workers may be assigned to fieldwork in high-crime areas or in institutions. As a result, the work can be stressful and dangerous.

How to Become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists usually need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, most employers require candidates to pass oral, written, and psychological exams.

Pay

The median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $55,690 in May 2020.

Job Outlook

Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 8,100 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about probation officers and correctional treatment specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists,
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm. Accessed 16 Dec. 2021.

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