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Jailer vs detention officer

The differences between jailers and detention officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a jailer has an average salary of $40,540, which is higher than the $40,087 average annual salary of a detention officer.

The top three skills for a jailer include transport inmates, booking and CPR. The most important skills for a detention officer are detention facility, direct supervision, and booking.

Jailer vs detention officer overview

JailerDetention Officer
Yearly salary$40,540$40,087
Hourly rate$19.49$19.27
Growth rate-10%-10%
Number of jobs2,228116,529
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age4040
Years of experience--

Jailer vs detention officer salary

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

JailerDetention Officer
Average salary$40,540$40,087
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $55,000Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Bering Straits
Best paying industry-Insurance

Differences between jailer and detention officer education

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

JailerDetention Officer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Jailer vs detention officer demographics

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

JailerDetention Officer
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 58.0% Female, 42.0%Male, 61.0% Female, 39.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 15.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 2.0% White, 56.5% 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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between jailer and detention officer duties and responsibilities

Jailer example responsibilities.

  • Train on the air pack and CPR
  • Train in CPR and first responder techniques.
  • Monitor jail through CCTV and monitor dispatch.
  • Book and fingerprint inmates, classifying and running NCIC and TCIC warrant checks, and listing inventory and inmate property.
  • Complete designate booking paperwork and system entry.
  • Record information in booking such as inmate identification, charges and classification.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Jailer vs detention officer skills

Common jailer skills
  • Transport Inmates, 38%
  • Booking, 19%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Security Checks, 3%
  • Emergency First Aid, 3%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 3%
Common detention officer skills
  • Detention Facility, 14%
  • Direct Supervision, 13%
  • Booking, 11%
  • Law Enforcement, 10%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Security Checks, 4%

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