The 10 States With The Highest Probation Officer Salaries For 2026

In today’s job market, salary remains a top priority for many individuals considering a career as a probation officer. Understanding how much probation officers earn in different states is crucial for anyone looking to enter this field.

While your specific salary expectations may vary based on various factors such as experience and location, we have compiled reliable data on average salaries for probation officers by state, categorized by seniority level. This information provides a solid foundation for assessing earning potential in your area.

The state offering the highest salary for probation officers, after adjusting for cost of living, is Iowa, home to the highest average pay for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists.

Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for probation officer salaries:

To provide a comprehensive understanding of how probation officer salaries vary across the country, we utilized the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on average pay by state.

We also adjusted salaries based on the cost of living in each state, recognizing that a salary stretches further in North Carolina compared to California.

Let’s explore the methodology behind our findings and present a complete ranking of all states.

How We Determined Probation Officer Pay by State

We based our analysis on average annual salary data for probation officers sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’

To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we factored in the cost of living in each region.

We created an index by dividing the average wage for each state by its cost of living relative to the national average. For instance, with a cost of living index of 135.9 in California and an average pay of $94,650, our index value would be:

$94,650 * (100 / 135.9) = $69,646

We then ranked each state based on this index, identifying the state with the highest salary index as having the best average salary for probation officers.

Now, let’s look at the complete ranking of probation officer salaries by state.

Detailed List Of Probation Officer Salaries By State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost Of Living
1	Iowa	$79,890	$72,700	91.0
2	Michigan	$72,101	$64,170	89.0
3	Minnesota	$72,053	$72,630	100.8
4	Connecticut	$70,446	$89,960	127.7
5	California	$69,646	$94,650	135.9
6	Illinois	$68,837	$65,120	94.6
7	Washington	$66,996	$70,480	105.2
8	North Dakota	$65,020	$64,630	99.4
9	Massachusetts	$62,953	$83,980	133.4
10	Nevada	$61,771	$63,810	103.3
11	New Jersey	$61,558	$75,040	121.9
12	Colorado	$61,541	$63,880	103.8
13	Pennsylvania	$59,901	$60,740	101.4
14	Ohio	$59,573	$55,880	93.8
15	New York	$58,984	$77,270	131.0
16	Indiana	$58,972	$52,780	89.5
17	Utah	$58,817	$54,700	93.0
18	Oregon	$58,252	$67,340	115.6
19	Arizona	$57,265	$56,120	98.0
20	Louisiana	$57,035	$54,070	94.8
21	Wyoming	$56,230	$51,620	91.8
22	Vermont	$56,127	$67,970	121.1
23	New Hampshire	$56,076	$65,610	117.0
24	Alaska	$56,048	$73,480	131.1
25	Nebraska	$55,524	$50,860	91.6
26	Texas	$55,226	$50,090	90.7
27	Alabama	$54,901	$50,070	91.2
28	Delaware	$52,455	$53,190	101.4
29	Wisconsin	$52,417	$50,740	96.8
30	Idaho	$51,226	$47,180	92.1
31	Kansas	$50,622	$45,510	89.9
32	New Mexico	$50,207	$48,450	96.5
33	Maryland	$50,047	$62,810	125.5
34	West Virginia	$49,935	$46,640	93.4
35	North Carolina	$49,435	$46,420	93.9
36	Maine	$48,745	$54,010	110.8
37	Georgia	$48,446	$44,280	91.4
38	Oklahoma	$48,172	$42,970	89.2
39	South Dakota	$48,042	$49,820	103.7
40	Tennessee	$47,863	$42,790	89.4
41	Montana	$47,718	$48,100	100.8
42	Arkansas	$47,680	$41,530	87.1
43	Virginia	$47,172	$47,550	100.8
44	Kentucky	$45,248	$40,950	90.5
45	South Carolina	$44,778	$44,420	99.2
46	Mississippi	$44,190	$37,960	85.9
47	Missouri	$43,329	$39,170	90.4
48	Florida	$43,123	$42,390	98.3
49	Hawaii	$38,749	$65,060	167.9

In conclusion, the role of probation officers is critical within the criminal justice system, and salary varies significantly across the United States. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions about your career path. Whether you are just starting or are an experienced professional, knowing your worth in different states can guide your job search and professional growth.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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