Best cities for a detention officer
The best cities for detention officers are Reno, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and Henderson, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for detention officers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for detention officers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a detention officer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for detention officers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for detention officers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a detention officer. While the absolute best city for detention officers is Reno, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for detention officers in 2024.
If you're looking for a detention officer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for detention officers in 2026
1. Reno, NV
Total detention officer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $51,810 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Las Vegas, NV
Total detention officer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,572 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Henderson, NV
Total detention officer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,519 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. North Las Vegas, NV
Total detention officer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,415 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Portland, OR
Total detention officer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $49,032 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $69,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Glendale, AZ
Total detention officer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $43,177 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 7.89 7. Chicago, IL
Total detention officer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $49,713 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 0.11 8. Phoenix, AZ
Total detention officer jobs: 38 Average annual salary: $43,137 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $62,000 Location quotient: 6.62 9. Gilbert, AZ
Total detention officer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $42,900 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 17.99 10. San Francisco, CA
Total detention officer jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $53,386 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 0.87
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Best cities for detention officers
- Reno, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- Henderson, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Portland, OR
- Glendale, AZ
- Chicago, IL
- Phoenix, AZ
- Gilbert, AZ
- San Francisco, CA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a detention officer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $51,810 | $35,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $50,572 | $34,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 3 | Henderson, NV | $50,519 | $34,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 4 | North Las Vegas, NV | $50,415 | $34,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $49,032 | $34,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 6 | Glendale, AZ | $43,177 | $29,000 | 245,895 | 2 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $49,713 | $36,000 | 2,704,958 | 1 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $43,137 | $29,000 | 1,615,017 | 38 |
| 9 | Gilbert, AZ | $42,900 | $29,000 | 237,133 | 4 |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | $53,386 | $35,000 | 870,887 | 8 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $52,920 | $37,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 12 | Hempstead, NY | $52,474 | $36,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $44,791 | $30,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 14 | Mesa, AZ | $42,910 | $29,000 | 484,587 | 4 |
| 15 | Islip, NY | $52,446 | $36,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 16 | Fresno, CA | $52,010 | $35,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 17 | Cleveland, OH | $42,893 | $30,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 18 | Toledo, OH | $41,899 | $29,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 19 | New York, NY | $52,439 | $36,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 20 | Oyster Bay, NY | $52,379 | $36,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 21 | Buffalo, NY | $50,663 | $35,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $53,142 | $35,000 | 233,136 | 1 |
| 23 | Brookhaven, NY | $52,356 | $36,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 24 | Columbus, OH | $40,753 | $29,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 25 | Oakland, CA | $53,235 | $35,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 26 | San Jose, CA | $53,152 | $35,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 27 | Santa Ana, CA | $50,752 | $34,000 | 334,217 | 3 |
| 28 | Pittsburgh, PA | $42,849 | $30,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $52,470 | $35,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 30 | Tucson, AZ | $42,027 | $29,000 | 530,706 | 7 |
| 31 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $58,048 | $49,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 32 | Sacramento, CA | $52,197 | $35,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 33 | Saint Paul, MN | $45,072 | $32,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 34 | Los Angeles, CA | $51,195 | $34,000 | 3,976,322 | 16 |
| 35 | Minneapolis, MN | $45,034 | $32,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 36 | Laredo, TX | $37,525 | $26,000 | 257,156 | 3 |
| 37 | Scottsdale, AZ | $43,047 | $29,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 38 | Cincinnati, OH | $39,415 | $28,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 39 | Bakersfield, CA | $51,832 | $35,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 40 | Chandler, AZ | $42,945 | $29,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 41 | Aurora, CO | $43,189 | $31,000 | 361,710 | 10 |
| 42 | Anchorage, AK | $44,702 | $35,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 43 | Long Beach, CA | $50,963 | $34,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 44 | Detroit, MI | $38,606 | $27,000 | 672,795 | 8 |
| 45 | Anaheim, CA | $50,814 | $34,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 46 | Jersey City, NJ | $48,186 | $33,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 47 | Newark, NJ | $48,168 | $33,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 48 | Garland, TX | $37,030 | $26,000 | 234,943 | 2 |
| 49 | Irvine, CA | $50,663 | $34,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 50 | San Diego, CA | $49,838 | $34,000 | 1,406,630 | 2 |
Highest paying cities for detention officers
| Rank | City | Avg. detention officer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $53,386 |
| 2 | Albany, NY | $49,987 |
| 3 | Annapolis, MD | $45,542 |
| 4 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | $44,420 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $43,189 |
| 6 | Des Moines, IA | $41,069 |
| 7 | Sterling Heights, MI | $38,704 |
| 8 | Del Rio, TX | $37,745 |
| 9 | Las Cruces, NM | $36,824 |
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | $34,711 |
| 11 | Edmond, OK | $32,537 |
| 12 | Gainesville, FL | $32,194 |
| 13 | Marietta, GA | $30,961 |
Detention officer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025