How Much Do Correctional Nurses Make?
Several factors can influence correctional nurse salaries, including experience, workplace, education level, and geographic location. Correctional nurses earn about the same as any other registered nurse (RN), which is more than the average U.S. salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This guide will walk any prospective correctional nurse through the details of pay across all variables and offer advice on how to maximize earning potential in this field.
Just the Highlights: Correctional Nurse Salaries
Correctional nurses can earn the highest average annual salaries in these roles and locations:
California
$137,690
San Francisco, CA
$174,370
Federal, State, and Local Government
$114,860
How Much Do Correctional Nurses Make?
In the U.S., correctional nurses make an average of $45.42 per hour, according to the BLS. This rate equals approximately $94,480 per year, which puts correctional nurse salaries well above average.
Correctional nurse compensation depends on several variables, which will be detailed below.
Correctional nurse average annual salary
$94,480
Correctional nurse average hourly wage
$45.42
Some correctional nurses work 12-hour shifts, and during “normal working hours,” they earn their base salary. Any hours worked in the evening, night, or weekend generally come with an hourly pay increase.
According to the BLS, correctional nurses can make an average of $63,720 in the lower salary range, while the higher-end averages are closer to $132,680.
Source: BLS
How Education Affects Correctional Nurse Salaries
All correctional nurses must first become registered nurses (RNs) by earning a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Some nursing programs can be completed in as little as 12 months through an accelerated option, which requires previously earned prerequisites. With either education path, nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), after which they become RNs.
When nurses graduate with an ADN and pass the NCLEX, they receive an RN designation, similar to a nurse who achieves a BSN. However, correctional nurses with a BSN will receive higher pay than those with an ADN, and some employers require their nurses to have a BSN degree.
After obtaining an RN license and gaining some experience as a nurse, correctional nurses may choose a higher education path, although this is not required for this specialty. Correctional nurses can choose to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which takes about two years to complete. Others graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which takes longer but may offer higher salaries.
| Degree | Annual Average Salary |
| ADN | $75,000 |
| BSN | $92,000 |
| MSN | $124,680 |
| DNP | $225,000 |
Source: Nursing World
How Specialty Certification Affects Correctional Nurse Salaries
Correctional nurses can earn specialty certifications through the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare or the American Correctional Association, including:
Any nursing certification proves expertise in that specialty and can lead to higher compensation.
Location and Correctional Nurse Salaries
As with most professional salaries, cost-of-living differences can make employment location a major factor in pay expectations.
Top-Paying Correctional Nurse Salaries by State
The coasts generally offer correctional nurses the highest pay, while the Southeastern states offer the lowest.
| California | $137,690 |
| Hawaii | $119,710 |
| Oregon | $113,440 |
| Washington | $111,030 |
| Alaska | $109,210 |
| Massachusetts | $108,850 |
| New York | $106,620 |
| Washington, D.C. | $102,686 |
| New Jersey | $101,960 |
| Connecticut | $101,840 |
| Nevada | $97,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,070 |
| Minnesota | $94,830 |
| Delaware | $94,670 |
| New Mexico | $92,140 |
| Maryland | $92,090 |
| Colorado | $91,730 |
| Arizona | $91,430 |
| Texas | $90,210 |
| Georgia | $90,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,410 |
| Vermont | $88,380 |
| Virginia | $88,350 |
| Illinois | $87,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,530 |
| Wisconsin | $87,220 |
| Michigan | $86,210 |
| Florida | $84,760 |
| Ohio | $84,430 |
| Maine | $84,340 |
| Wyoming | $83,990 |
| Utah | $83,100 |
| Idaho | $83,090 |
| Montana | $82,950 |
| Indiana | $82,700 |
| North Carolina | $82,530 |
| Oklahoma | $82,110 |
| Kentucky | $81,770 |
| South Carolina | $81,390 |
| Louisiana | $80,760 |
| Nebraska | $79,780 |
| North Dakota | $79,190 |
| Tennessee | $78,240 |
| Missouri | $77,590 |
| Kansas | $76,240 |
| West Virginia | $75,990 |
| Mississippi | $75,510 |
| Iowa | $74,610 |
| Arkansas | $72,900 |
| Alabama | $71,370 |
| South Dakota | $69,030 |
Source: BLS
Top-Paying Correctional Nurse Salaries by City
The cost of living differs by state and population density. More people populate cities than rural areas, and their cost of living and salaries are typically higher. For example, if correctional nurses work for a large governmental correctional facility, they will probably earn more than those who work for a small halfway house in a rural area.
| Metropolitan area | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $83.83 | $174,370 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $82.51 | $171,620 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82.11 | $170,780 |
| Napa, CA | $79.89 | $166,180 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $74.28 | $154,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73.52 | $152,930 |
| Modesto, CA | $69.80 | $145,190 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $67.73 | $140,880 |
| San Luis Obispo--Paso Robles--Arroyo Grande, CA | $67.58 | $140,560 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $66.55 | $138,420 |
Source: BLS
Workplace Type and Correctional Nurse Salaries
Correctional nurse compensation can also vary based on the work environment. For most correctional nurses, government jobs pay the highest.
| Industry | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
| Federal, State, and Local Government | $55.22 | $114,860 |
| Government | $48.00 | $99,840 |
Source: BLS
How Fast Can a Correctional Nurse’s Salary Grow?
A correctional nurse’s salary can grow fast, depending on professional development. In certain workplaces, management offers incentives to get certifications, lead or take part in committees, and get on a management track.
Pay also rises with each year of experience. Most medical facilities offer new hires an hourly rate based on years of experience. So, even if a nurse changes positions or facilities, their pay should remain the same if the facilities are comparable.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Correctional Nurse
Correctional nurses can increase their salaries in many ways. As discussed above, compensation directly correlates to location, workplace type, and level of education, and these factors lead to a higher salary.
1. Earn a Higher Degree
For correctional nurses with an ADN, many universities offer bridge programs to obtain a BSN, which typically increases earning potential. Nurses may also pursue higher degrees, like an MSN or DNP, for even higher salaries.
2. Try a New Location
Compensation for correctional nurses often depends on location, and a move to a new city can come with a higher salary. Keep in mind, though, that with a higher salary may also come a higher cost of living.
3. Earn Certification
By earning a specialty certification, correctional nurses can prove their worth and become even more valuable to their employers, allowing them to leverage their expertise for higher pay.
4. Transfer to a New Work Setting
If a current work setting cannot increase a correctional nurse’s salary to their satisfaction, a new workplace might offer higher pay.
Correctional Nurse Salaries FAQs
1. What role offers the highest pay for correctional nurses?
The highest-paid correctional nurses are those working for the Federal, State, and Local Government, who make an average of $114,860 a year, or $55.22 per hour.
2. What do correctional nurses make per hour?
Correctional nurses make an average of $45.42 an hour. This can increase or decrease based on experience, location, role, and education.
3. Which state and city pay correctional nurses the best?
According to the BLS, California offers the highest pay for all RNs at $66.20 per hour, or $137,690 a year. San Francisco, CA, boasts the highest salaries at $83.83 per hour ($174,370 per year).
4. How can correctional nurses get paid more?
Correctional nurses can earn higher degrees, try a new location, earn specialty certification, or transfer to a new work environment, all of which could potentially increase pay.
5. Which degree gives correctional nurses the highest pay?
To become a correctional nurse, candidates must earn a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Of the two, a BSN typically offers correctional nurses the highest pay. However, the highest-paying degree in most nursing fields is the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Practice.
