NJ Civil Service Navigator

Corrections Officer Jobs in NJ

Find corrections officer jobs in New Jersey. View Correctional Police Officer, Senior Correction Officer, and supervisory positions with salary and require

Category: Law Enforcement

Corrections officers maintain security and order in state correctional facilities. These positions offer competitive salaries, benefits, and a structured career path.

Typical Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Valid NJ driver's license
  • Must pass physical, psychological, and background examinations
  • Completion of training academy required

Career Progression

  • Correction Officer Recruit
  • → Correctional Police Officer
  • → Senior Correctional Police Officer
  • → Correctional Police Sergeant
  • → Correctional Police Lieutenant
  • → Correctional Police Captain

Available Corrections Officer positions in New Jersey

New Jersey civil service has 57 corrections officer titles, paying from $50,000 at entry level to $187,691 at the top step. The 40 highest-paying are below; see all in search.

TitleSalary range
SUPERINTENDENT 2 CORRECTIONS$126,854 – $187,691
CORRECTIONAL POLICE MAJOR$166,943 – $166,943
DEPUTY CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$163,602 – $163,602
BUSINESS MANAGER CORRECTIONS$110,276 – $162,870
CORRECTIONAL POLICE LIEUTENANT$104,596 – $153,535
CORRECTIONAL POLICE LIEUTENANT, YOUTH JUSTICE COMMISSION$104,596 – $153,535
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT 3 CORRECTIONS$100,498 – $148,187
SUPERVISING CLASSIFICATION OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$100,498 – $148,187
SUPERVISING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST CORRECTIONS$95,955 – $141,386
CORRECTIONAL POLICE SERGEANT$85,213 – $135,022
CORRECTIONAL POLICE SERGEANT, YOUTH JUSTICE COMMISSION$85,213 – $135,022
CLASSIFICATION OFFICER 3, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$87,507 – $128,719
SUPERINTENDENT 1, CORRECTIONS$91,735 – $128,436
SENIOR CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER$75,661 – $123,104
SENIOR CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER$75,661 – $123,104
SENIOR CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER$75,661 – $123,104
SENIOR CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER, YOUTH JUSTICE COMMISSION$75,661 – $123,104
SENIOR CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER, YOUTH JUSTICE COMMISSION$75,661 – $123,104
SUPERVISOR, MINIMUM SECURITY UNIT CORRECTIONS$83,582 – $122,832
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST 1 CORRECTIONS$83,582 – $122,832
PROGRAM ASSISTANT CORRECTIONS$79,844 – $117,228
SUPERINTENDENT 2 CORRECTIONS$83,210 – $116,477
ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR, PRISON COMPLEX$83,210 – $116,477
SUPERVISOR JUVENILE UNIT CORRECTIONS$72,896 – $106,798
CLASSIFICATION OFFICER 2, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$72,896 – $106,798
CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR 1 CORRECTIONS$69,668 – $101,951
SPEECH CORRECTIONIST$69,668 – $101,951
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT 1 CORRECTIONS$71,879 – $100,638
BUSINESS MANAGER CORRECTIONS$71,879 – $100,638
SENIOR VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR CORRECTIONS$66,592 – $97,354
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT II CORRECTIONS$68,455 – $95,846
SOCIAL WORKER 1 CORRECTIONS$63,663 – $92,953
SOCIAL WORKER 1, CORRECTIONS (BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH)$63,663 – $92,953
CLASSIFICATION OFFICER 1, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$63,663 – $92,953
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT 3 CORRECTIONS$65,195 – $91,272
CLASSIFICATION OFFICER APPRENTICE, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$60,876 – $88,743
SOCIAL WORKER 2 CORRECTIONS$58,222 – $84,763
SOCIAL WORKER 2 CORRECTIONS-BILINGUAL IN SPAN & ENGL$58,222 – $84,763
VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR CORRECTIONS$58,222 – $84,763
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT CLASSIFICATION, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS$55,691 – $81,008

Which employers actually hire corrections officer titles

State payroll records show 16,804 people in these titles across 20 state agencies, concentrated at Department of Corrections. This is where the work exists today, not a list of current openings.

Local employers file their payroll separately and are not counted here, so county, municipal and school-district jobs in these titles are additional to the figures above.

About NJ Civil Service Employment

Civil service employment in New Jersey comes with negotiated salary schedules, health coverage, PERS or PFRS pension enrollment, and the due-process protections that come with merit-based hiring. Most titles are filled from a ranked eligibility list after a competitive exam, and each job family has its own promotional ladder.

You will find openings for these titles at state departments as well as county, municipal, and school-district employers. The classification rules and job specifications are shared statewide, regardless of which level of government is hiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a Corrections Officer in New Jersey?

To work as a corrections officer in NJ civil service, you typically need to: High school diploma or equivalent; Must be at least 18 years old; Valid NJ driver's license. Most positions require passing a civil service examination and placement on an eligibility list.

What is the salary range for Corrections Officer positions?

Corrections Officer salaries in NJ civil service range from $50,000 at entry level to $187,691 for senior positions. Actual salary depends on the specific title, experience, and step level.

Are Corrections Officer positions available at state and local level?

Yes, similar positions exist at both state and local levels, though job titles and requirements may differ.

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