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Correctional Officer Salary in Nashville, Tennessee

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$52,091/ year

Median Correctional Officer in Nashville, TN

$32,718
10th
$39,900
25th
$52,091
Median
$67,201
75th
$81,985
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$52,091
Total compensation (est.)
$59,905
Bonus range
$1,900 – $7,680
Mean salary
$55,216

How This Compares

Nashville, TN median
$52,091
Tennessee median
$50,602+2.9%
National median
$49,610+5.0%

Cost of living in Nashville is 5% above the national average. Salary of $52,091 here is equivalent to $49,610 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$37,506-28.0%
3-5 years
$47,403-9.0%
6-10 years
$58,342+12.0%
10+ years
$71,886+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$45,840-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$52,091
Enterprise (5,000+)
$61,467+18.0%

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Correctional Officer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Memphis, TN$40,184/yr
Knoxville, TN$49,610/yr
Chattanooga, TN$49,610/yr
Clarksville, TN$49,610/yr

Related Jobs in Nashville

Police Officer$70,655/yr
Firefighter$61,205/yr
Security Guard$37,622/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$25/hr
Monthly gross$4,341/mo
25th percentile$39,900/yr
75th percentile$67,201/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 Nashville?

The median Correctional Officer salary in Nashville is $52,091 per year, with a range from $39,900 at the 25th percentile to $67,201 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 Nashville compare to the national average?

Correctional Officer salaries in Nashville are 5% above the national median of $49,610. After adjusting for Nashville'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 Nashville?

In Nashville, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Correctional Officer roles start around $32,718, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $81,985 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Nashville a good place for Correctional Officer jobs?

Nashville offers a Correctional Officer median of $52,091, which is 5% above the US median of $49,610. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Nashville is 5% more expensive 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 Nashville is $67,201, 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.