Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Correctional Officer's pay go, state by state?
A Correctional Officer's pay leaves the most room in California — about $6,055/mo take-home against $1,969/mo typical rent — and the least in Florida.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $6,055/mo | $1,969/mo | 33% |
| New Jersey | $5,685/mo | $1,656/mo | 29% |
| Oregon | $5,075/mo | $1,431/mo | 28% |
| Massachusetts | $5,123/mo | $1,716/mo | 33% |
| Alaska | $4,607/mo | $1,361/mo | 30% |
| New York | $4,635/mo | $1,621/mo | 35% |
| Michigan | $4,060/mo | $1,072/mo | 26% |
| Illinois | $4,189/mo | $1,246/mo | 30% |
| Wisconsin | $3,941/mo | $1,033/mo | 26% |
| Nebraska | $3,786/mo | $1,017/mo | 27% |
| Ohio | $3,674/mo | $986/mo | 27% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,851/mo | $1,176/mo | 31% |
| Nevada | $4,128/mo | $1,478/mo | 36% |
| Minnesota | $3,810/mo | $1,230/mo | 32% |
| Utah | $3,902/mo | $1,396/mo | 36% |
| Washington | $4,083/mo | $1,641/mo | 40% |
| Connecticut | $3,891/mo | $1,483/mo | 38% |
| South Dakota | $3,247/mo | $910/mo | 28% |
| Iowa | $3,180/mo | $932/mo | 29% |
| North Dakota | $3,156/mo | $911/mo | 29% |
| Wyoming | $3,174/mo | $979/mo | 31% |
| Hawaii | $4,102/mo | $1,927/mo | 47% |
| Delaware | $3,491/mo | $1,321/mo | 38% |
| Maryland | $3,832/mo | $1,683/mo | 44% |
| Montana | $3,177/mo | $1,031/mo | 32% |
| Colorado | $3,801/mo | $1,659/mo | 44% |
| West Virginia | $2,961/mo | $848/mo | 29% |
| Vermont | $3,266/mo | $1,207/mo | 37% |
| Arizona | $3,462/mo | $1,419/mo | 41% |
| Maine | $3,143/mo | $1,104/mo | 35% |
| Idaho | $3,146/mo | $1,163/mo | 37% |
| New Hampshire | $3,403/mo | $1,424/mo | 42% |
| Tennessee | $3,045/mo | $1,111/mo | 36% |
| North Carolina | $3,019/mo | $1,147/mo | 38% |
| Oklahoma | $2,840/mo | $970/mo | 34% |
| Indiana | $2,884/mo | $1,022/mo | 35% |
| Texas | $3,122/mo | $1,328/mo | 43% |
| Arkansas | $2,631/mo | $903/mo | 34% |
| Kansas | $2,731/mo | $1,025/mo | 38% |
| Alabama | $2,649/mo | $967/mo | 37% |
| New Mexico | $2,704/mo | $1,034/mo | 38% |
| South Carolina | $2,798/mo | $1,131/mo | 40% |
| Louisiana | $2,562/mo | $1,028/mo | 40% |
| Virginia | $3,056/mo | $1,547/mo | 51% |
| Kentucky | $2,401/mo | $918/mo | 38% |
| Missouri | $2,470/mo | $997/mo | 40% |
| Georgia | $2,722/mo | $1,320/mo | 48% |
| Mississippi | $2,278/mo | $933/mo | 41% |
| Florida | $2,677/mo | $1,542/mo | 58% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.