Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
SOC: 21-1092 O*NET: 21-1092.00
Median Salary
$64,520
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.6%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
What does a Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,390
10th percentile
Early Career
$52,580
25th percentile
Median
$64,520
50th percentile
Experienced
$84,030
75th percentile
Top Earners
$106,290
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,390
25th
$52,580
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$64,520
Mean: $71,530
75th
$84,030
90th
$106,290
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $60,900 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $52,580 and $84,030
- •Salary spread is 48.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 86,820 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:92,300
Top Industries
Social Assistance1.2%
Individual and Family Services1.1%
Administrative and Support Services0.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.6%
Annual Openings:7,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)92,300
Current
2034 (Projected)94,800
+2.6%
+2,400
Employment Change
+2.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
California
12,950 jobs$107,0501.27x
Texas
7,490 jobs$51,9000.96x
New York
4,420 jobs$80,0600.82x
Florida
4,360 jobs$50,5400.79x
Pennsylvania
4,240 jobs$65,5101.25x
North Carolina
3,160 jobs$60,4101.14x
Ohio
3,150 jobs$60,0901.01x
New Jersey
2,880 jobs$77,8101.20x
Virginia
2,830 jobs$57,0101.24x
Illinois
2,540 jobs$70,3500.74x
Georgia
2,460 jobs$54,4900.90x
Tennessee
2,350 jobs$58,0101.28x
Colorado
2,280 jobs$66,7701.40x
Michigan
2,220 jobs$79,2300.90x
Missouri
2,160 jobs$45,3901.31x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers100%
5 shared skills
Urologists100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Writing
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)General Responsibilities (13)Management & Supervision (2)Planning & Development (4)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Write reports describing offenders' progress.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Inform offenders or inmates of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Develop rehabilitation programs for assigned offenders or inmates, establishing rules of conduct, goals, and objectives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Provide offenders or inmates with assistance in matters concerning detainers, sentences in other jurisdictions, writs, and applications for social assistance.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Arrange for postrelease services, such as employment, housing, counseling, education, and social activities.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists professionals typically have a SCE Holland code and highly value support
SSocial
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.63
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.58
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.55
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.51
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.38
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.24
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Self-Control
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Concern for Others
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Cooperation
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Independence
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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