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Probation officer salary
Average probation officer salary
$47,252
Understanding Probation Officer Salaries
The role of a probation officer is vital in the criminal justice system, focusing on rehabilitating offenders and ensuring public safety. The average salary for probation officers across the United States is $47,252 annually. However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as state, experience level, and specific job duties.
Salary by State
For instance, probation officers in states like California and New York tend to earn higher wages compared to those in Midwestern states. This disparity reflects the cost of living and local funding for public safety initiatives.
Experience Matters
Experience also plays a crucial role in determining earnings. Entry-level probation officers might start at around $35,000, while those with several years of experience can earn over $60,000 per year. This growth in salary highlights the career advancement opportunities available in this field.
Conclusion
In summary, pursuing a career as a probation officer offers not only the chance to make a difference in the community but also potential for a stable income that grows with experience and responsibility.
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Where can a Probation Officer earn more?
Probation officer salaries by experience level
Probation officer salary estimates from across the web
Average probation officer salary by state
The average probation officer salary in Nevada, California, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average probation officer salary states are Nebraska, Arkansas, and Missouri.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for probation officers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $62,199 | $29.90 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $56,986 | $27.40 |
| 3 | Mississippi | $56,852 | $27.33 |
| 4 | New York | $56,791 | $27.30 |
| 5 | Idaho | $52,267 | $25.13 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $55,012 | $26.45 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $55,087 | $26.48 |
| 8 | Utah | $57,703 | $27.74 |
| 9 | Delaware | $58,901 | $28.32 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $57,836 | $27.81 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $53,071 | $25.51 |
| 12 | California | $61,612 | $29.62 |
| 13 | Alaska | $60,324 | $29.00 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $56,609 | $27.22 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $52,029 | $25.01 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $49,133 | $23.62 |
| 17 | District of Columbia | $58,542 | $28.15 |
| 18 | Vermont | $51,055 | $24.55 |
| 19 | Illinois | $49,166 | $23.64 |
| 20 | Wyoming | $52,495 | $25.24 |
| 21 | Arizona | $51,622 | $24.82 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $46,657 | $22.43 |
| 23 | Maryland | $49,094 | $23.60 |
| 24 | Kansas | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| 25 | Iowa | $48,339 | $23.24 |
| 26 | Maine | $45,088 | $21.68 |
| 27 | Ohio | $44,499 | $21.39 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $43,571 | $20.95 |
| 29 | Colorado | $48,266 | $23.20 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $41,773 | $20.08 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $42,353 | $20.36 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $42,887 | $20.62 |
| 33 | Washington | $45,521 | $21.89 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| 36 | Texas | $43,385 | $20.86 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $41,625 | $20.01 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $39,752 | $19.11 |
| 39 | Georgia | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $38,413 | $18.47 |
| 41 | Virginia | $42,497 | $20.43 |
| 42 | Indiana | $38,769 | $18.64 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $39,675 | $19.07 |
| 44 | Alabama | $39,954 | $19.21 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $42,343 | $20.36 |
| 46 | Oregon | $39,165 | $18.83 |
| 47 | Missouri | $37,593 | $18.07 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $37,734 | $18.14 |
| 49 | Florida | $37,511 | $18.03 |
| 50 | Michigan | $34,308 | $16.49 |
| 51 | Montana | $36,510 | $17.55 |
Highest paying cities for probation officers
The highest-paying cities for probation officers are San Jose, CA, Washington, DC, and Salt Lake City, UT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $62,491 | $30.04 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $58,582 | $28.16 |
| 3 | Salt Lake City, UT | $57,551 | $27.67 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $57,016 | $27.41 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $54,816 | $26.35 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,671 | $24.84 |
| 7 | Apple Valley, MN | $49,261 | $23.68 |
| 8 | Waukegan, IL | $49,259 | $23.68 |
| 9 | Baltimore, MD | $49,182 | $23.65 |
| 10 | Lakewood, CO | $48,252 | $23.20 |
| 11 | Topeka, KS | $48,177 | $23.16 |
| 12 | Albuquerque, NM | $46,579 | $22.39 |
| 13 | Cleveland, OH | $44,821 | $21.55 |
| 14 | Lewiston, ME | $44,654 | $21.47 |
| 15 | Virginia Beach, VA | $42,627 | $20.49 |
| 16 | Altoona, PA | $41,404 | $19.91 |
| 17 | Rapid City, SD | $41,055 | $19.74 |
| 18 | Charlotte, NC | $40,779 | $19.61 |
| 19 | Albany, GA | $40,526 | $19.48 |
| 20 | Muskogee, OK | $39,605 | $19.04 |
Probation officer salary details
A probation officer's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $69,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a probation officer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| Average | $47,252 | $3,938 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying probation officer jobs
The highest paying types of probation officers are family preservation officer, treatment specialist, and probation counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Protective Investigator | $47,903 | $3,992 | $23.03 | 15,938 |
| Probation And Parole Officer | $46,271 | $3,856 | $22.25 | 55,952 |
| Juvenile Probation Officer | $46,765 | $3,897 | $22.48 | 66,217 |
| Adult Probation Officer | $46,598 | $3,883 | $22.40 | 56,961 |
Top companies hiring probation officers now:
Which companies pay probation officers the most?
Probation officer salaries at Hamilton and Dakota Holding Corporation are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average probation officer salary at companies like Prince George County, Va and Travis County are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $54,723 | $26.31 |
| 2 | Dakota Holding Corporation | $52,070 | $25.03 |
| 3 | Prince George County, Va | $51,185 | $24.61 |
| 4 | Travis County | $49,236 | $23.67 |
| 5 | Lake County | $49,155 | $23.63 |
| 6 | Scott County, Iowa | $48,932 | $23.52 |
| 7 | United States Courts | $46,734 | $22.47 |
| 8 | San Bernardino County | $45,645 | $21.94 |
| 9 | U.S. District Court | $45,644 | $21.94 |
| 10 | Ramsey County | $45,632 | $21.94 |
| 11 | COUNTY OF MERCED | $45,098 | $21.68 |
| 12 | Anoka County | $44,977 | $21.62 |
| 13 | Loudoun County Social Svc | $43,984 | $21.15 |
| 14 | Alameda County | $43,594 | $20.96 |
| 15 | Prince William County | $43,322 | $20.83 |
| 16 | Frederick County | $43,204 | $20.77 |
| 17 | State of West Virginia | $42,982 | $20.66 |
| 18 | McLennan County | $42,705 | $20.53 |
| 19 | City and County of Denver Government | $42,344 | $20.36 |
| 20 | City of Topeka | $41,689 | $20.04 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Probation officer salary trends
The average probation officer salary has risen by $6,661 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average probation officer earned $40,591 annually, but today, they earn $47,252 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for probation officers over the last decade.
Compare probation officer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average probation officer salary over time
Compare probation officer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Probation officer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,300 | $22.72 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $46,100 | $22.15 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $45,000 | $21.63 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $43,600 | $20.97 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $42,600 | $20.46 | +1.6% |
Recently added probation officer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neheadstart | Probation Officer Trainee | Omaha, NE | 06/29/2025 | $42,324 |
| MTC | Chief Probation Officer-BMC Central | Boston, MA | 06/28/2025 | $156,231 |
| Wright County | Assistant Probation Officer | Buffalo, MN | 06/28/2025 | $49,581 |
| McLean County, Il | Probation Officer I | Bloomington, IL | 06/28/2025 | $51,528 |
| State of Georgia | Probation Officer 1-Dougherty CSO & Hits-Dougherty GA. (COM) | Albany, GA | 06/27/2025 | $45,903 |
| The County of Adams | Probation Officer | Gettysburg, PA | 06/27/2025 | $41,114 |
| Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation | Probation Officer | Mayetta, KS | 06/26/2025 | $38,985 |
| Bellcountytx | JUV Probation Officer I-Dept 679 | Killeen, TX | 06/25/2025 | $50,985 |
| Cobb County, Ga | Probation Officer I | Marietta, GA | 06/25/2025 | $50,965 |
| U.S. District Court | U.S. Probation Officer | Yuma, AZ | 06/24/2025 | $59,133 |
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