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Correctional Officer Salary in Memphis, Tennessee

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$40,184/ year

Median Correctional Officer in Memphis, TN

$25,240
10th
$30,780
25th
$40,184
Median
$51,840
75th
$63,245
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$40,184
Total compensation (est.)
$46,212
Bonus range
$1,900 – $7,680
Mean salary
$42,595

How This Compares

Memphis, TN median
$40,184
Tennessee median
$50,602-20.6%
National median
$49,610-19.0%

Cost of living in Memphis is 19% below the national average. Salary of $40,184 here is equivalent to $49,610 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$28,932-28.0%
3-5 years
$36,567-9.0%
6-10 years
$45,006+12.0%
10+ years
$55,454+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$35,362-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$40,184
Enterprise (5,000+)
$47,417+18.0%

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Correctional Officer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Nashville, TN$52,091/yr
Knoxville, TN$49,610/yr
Chattanooga, TN$49,610/yr
Clarksville, TN$49,610/yr

Related Jobs in Memphis

Police Officer$54,505/yr
Firefighter$47,215/yr
Security Guard$29,022/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$19/hr
Monthly gross$3,349/mo
25th percentile$30,780/yr
75th percentile$51,840/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Tennessee Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.6%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Correctional Officer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Correctional Officer salary in Memphis?

The median Correctional Officer salary in Memphis is $40,184 per year, with a range from $30,780 at the 25th percentile to $51,840 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Correctional Officer pay in Memphis compare to the national average?

Correctional Officer salaries in Memphis are 19% below the national median of $49,610. After adjusting for Memphis's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $49,610 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Correctional Officer salaries in Memphis?

In Memphis, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Correctional Officer roles start around $25,240, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $63,245 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Memphis a good place for Correctional Officer jobs?

Memphis offers a Correctional Officer median of $40,184, which is 19% below the US median of $49,610. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Memphis is 19% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Correctional Officer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Correctional Officer in Memphis is $51,840, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.