How To Become A Classification Officer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a classification officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A classification officer works in correctional facilities to assess the needs of inmates. To do this, they conduct interviews with inmates and evaluate their specific needs, such as disability accommodations and other adjustments for physical or mental impairments, to provide a safe jail environment for all. Their job is to also evaluate inmates' risk levels to help ensure the safety of staff, other inmates, and the public.

The specific duties of a classification officer revolve around conducting inmate interviews, reviewing jail reports, creating accurate records or case files, and making referrals to appropriate treatment providers when needed. Since this job requires one to work in a correction facility, one must recognize the inherent risks before taking the plunge.

The requirement for this role is usually an undergraduate degree in psychology or another relevant field. One must also have the proper training to deal with inmates, as well as adequate knowledge on how the prison system works.

The average salary for this role is $49,000 per year. However, one can attain a higher earning potential of $76,000 or more with higher levels of education and experience.

ScoreClassification OfficerUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $41,484

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate -10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.95%

Asian 2.03%

Black or African American 15.75%

Hispanic or Latino 19.41%

Unknown 5.27%

White 56.59%

Gender

female 59.52%

male 40.48%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a classification officer

Explore classification officer education requirements

Most common classification officer degrees

Bachelor's

60.6 %

Associate

19.0 %

Master's

10.0 %

Start to develop specific classification officer skills

Skills	Percentages
Telephone Inquiries	20.39%
Correctional Facilities	9.05%
Background Checks	9.04%
Mental Health	8.16%
Classification System	6.86%

Complete relevant classification officer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New classification officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a classification officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real classification officer resumes.

Research classification officer duties and responsibilities

Analyze and send release/entry data to CBP via ABI.
Develop a written procedure for associates handling FDA files.
Balance and report daily inmate count for the correctional facility.
Transmit accurate FDA information with and without FDA prior notice.

Get classification officer experience

Prepare your classification officer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your classification officer resume.

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Choose from 10+ customizable classification officer resume templates

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