Classification officer vs detention officer

The differences between classification officers and detention officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a classification officer has an average salary of $41,484, which is higher than the $40,087 average annual salary of a detention officer.

The top three skills for a classification officer include telephone inquiries, correctional facilities and background checks. The most important skills for a detention officer are detention facility, direct supervision, and booking.

Classification officer vs detention officer overview

	Classification Officer	Detention Officer
Yearly salary	$41,484	$40,087
Hourly rate	$19.94	$19.27
Growth rate	-10%	-10%
Number of jobs	80,891	116,529
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	-	-

What does a classification officer do?

A Classification Officer interviews, evaluates, and assesses the inmates' needs and risks and makes reliable housing assignments so that the jail can provide a safe environment. They question inmates to discover special needs like disability and more. Besides evaluating known risk factors, these professionals also monitor all risk status changes. They go through jail reports and criminal history records relating to the inmates' past safety concerns and behavior. Furthermore, Classification Officers keep accurate records for classification systems, monitoring, and proper documentation.

What does a detention officer do?

The role of detention officers is to supervise inmates in state detention facilities. They are responsible for ensuring the safe imprisonment of detainees, managing conflict between detainees, and reporting inappropriate behavior to the warden. Other responsibilities include providing inmates the opportunity to call a lawyer or a relative, performing periodic patrol of the jail area, and supervising inmates during meals and related activities. They are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of personal and cell equipment and distributing medicines to inmates as directed.

Classification officer vs detention officer salary

Classification officers and detention officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Classification Officer	Detention Officer
Average salary	$41,484	$40,087
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $69,000	Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	ABB	Bering Straits
Best paying industry	Energy	Insurance

Differences between classification officer and detention officer education

There are a few differences between a classification officer and a detention officer in terms of educational background:

	Classification Officer	Detention Officer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Classification officer vs detention officer demographics

Here are the differences between classification officers' and detention officers' demographics:

	Classification Officer	Detention Officer
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 40.5% Female, 59.5%	Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between classification officer and detention officer duties and responsibilities

Classification officer example 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.
Retrieve cmis agendas & process call-outs on Monday for Thursday committee.
Organize and prioritize FTA requests provide by client and shipment reports.

Detention officer example responsibilities.

Train and manage officers of booking, procedures and computer knowledge skills and achieve significant improvements in their productivity.
Manage booking area and process all non-English speaking detainees; streamline process and reduce confrontational situations through effective communication and leadership.
Maintain certification in CPR, gun qualification, and any specialize training offer.
Ensure that all require KYC documentation is on file before accounts are open.
Review and analyze KYC information on potential clients, brokerage counterparties, etc.
Perform CPR when necessary, and provide the transportation of inmates to the medical facility.

Classification officer vs detention officer skills

Common classification officer skills

Telephone Inquiries, 20%
Correctional Facilities, 9%
Background Checks, 9%
Mental Health, 8%
Classification System, 7%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 7%

Common detention officer skills

Detention Facility, 14%
Direct Supervision, 13%
Booking, 11%
Law Enforcement, 10%
CPR, 5%
Security Checks, 4%

Classification Officer vs. similar jobs

Classification Officer related careers

Classification Officer related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Protective Service Industry
Classification Officer
Classification Officer vs Detention Officer

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse protective service jobs