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Correctional guard vs custodial officer

The differences between correctional guards and custodial officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a custodial officer has an average salary of $42,867, which is higher than the $37,889 average annual salary of a correctional guard.

The top three skills for a correctional guard include facility policy, security checks and emergency situations. The most important skills for a custodial officer are emergency calls, security checks, and law enforcement.

Correctional guard vs custodial officer overview

Correctional GuardCustodial Officer
Yearly salary$37,889$42,867
Hourly rate$18.22$20.61
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs18,348101,579
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Correctional guard vs custodial officer salary

Correctional guards and custodial officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Correctional GuardCustodial Officer
Average salary$37,889$42,867
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $48,000Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Wellpath
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between correctional guard and custodial officer education

There are a few differences between a correctional guard and a custodial officer in terms of educational background:

Correctional GuardCustodial Officer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Correctional guard vs custodial officer demographics

Here are the differences between correctional guards' and custodial officers' demographics:

Correctional GuardCustodial Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 68.1% Female, 31.9%Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 19.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 2.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 2.0% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between correctional guard and custodial officer duties and responsibilities

Correctional guard example responsibilities.

  • Aid inmates in their rehabilitation by scheduling work assignments, counseling, and educational opportunities.
  • Issue weapons and ammunition for transportation officers.

Custodial officer example responsibilities.

  • Watch CCTV cameras and control security doors.
  • Conduct rounds, answer phones and monitor the CCTV.
  • Maintain booking and release records, Huber accounts, and property records.
  • Assist officers in the booking of suspects; searching, fingerprinting, transporting.
  • Patrol assign areas for evidence of unauthorize activities, infractions of rules, unsatisfactory attitudes or unsatisfactory adjustment of inmates.
  • Administer basic emergency first aid and cardio pulmonary resuscitation as needed.

Correctional guard vs custodial officer skills

Common correctional guard skills
  • Facility Policy, 29%
  • Security Checks, 21%
  • Emergency Situations, 21%
  • Clinical Treatment, 17%
  • CPR, 3%
  • Vital Signs, 2%
Common custodial officer skills
  • Emergency Calls, 23%
  • Security Checks, 16%
  • Law Enforcement, 12%
  • Communication Systems, 10%
  • Booking, 7%
  • Public Safety, 7%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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