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Federal Prison Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NCCER Instructor

Greenwood, SC

$47K - $60K/yr

Job Responsibilities The NCCER Instructor will teach carpentry to incarcerated inmates at the Federal Prison in Edgefield, South Caroline. Minimum and Additional Requirements NCCER certified with a ...

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Dental Assistant

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$22.21 - $27.30/hr

Dental Assistants - provide Dental Assistant services to the inmate population at the United States Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp. Atlanta. Georgia. Responsible for: Be able to use and ...

Pharmacist

Beckley, WV · On-site

$70 - $75/hr

Federal Bureau of Prisons-Federal Prison Camp Glen Ray Rd., Alderson, W. Va. 24910 Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (On call as needed) Certification: A degree in Pharmacy that is ...

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Federal Prison information

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$29.5K

$59.1K

$87.5K

How much do federal prison jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal prison in the United States is $59,075.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,000.00 and $67,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Federal Prison Jobs?

Federal prison jobs include a wide variety of positions focused on overseeing and providing services to inmates. Aside from the well-known correctional officer and guard positions, federal prisons also employ dentists, nurses, psychologists, physicians, secretaries, electronic technicians, and many other professionals. What all of these careers have in common is that they're government jobs, so you must uphold the expectations of justice, respond to orders from a court, and otherwise provide a high standard of care and service for each inmate. Outside of the government, some federal prison workers come from non-profit organizations. For example, you can find prison chaplain positions through religious non-profit groups.

What's the highest paying job in prison?

In prisons, the highest paying jobs are typically administrative or specialized roles such as prison guards, healthcare professionals, or maintenance supervisors, which may offer higher wages compared to basic inmate labor. These positions often require specific skills, certifications, or experience and may include benefits or overtime pay.

How to work in federal prison?

To work in a federal prison, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass background checks, and complete required training provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Positions may include correctional officer, administrative staff, or healthcare worker, each requiring specific qualifications and sometimes security clearances. Applicants should review job postings on official government employment sites for detailed requirements and application procedures.

Is working at a federal prison a good job?

Working at a federal prison as a correctional officer or staff member can offer stable employment, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. However, it involves working in a high-stress environment with safety risks and requires adherence to strict protocols and security procedures.

What is the difference between Federal Prison vs Correctional Officer?

AspectFederal PrisonCorrectional Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED; background check; security clearanceHigh school diploma or GED; training certification; background check
Work EnvironmentSecure federal facility housing inmatesSupervises inmates within correctional facilities
Employer & IndustryFederal Bureau of PrisonsFederal, state, or private correctional facilities
Job RoleOversees inmate management, security, and facility operationsMonitors inmate behavior, enforces rules, and maintains safety

While a Federal Prison is a secure facility operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a Correctional Officer is the professional responsible for supervising inmates within such facilities. Correctional Officers work inside federal prisons to ensure safety, security, and order. The roles are closely linked, with correctional officers being essential staff within federal prisons.

What are federal prisons?

Federal prisons are correctional facilities operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in the United States. They house individuals who have been convicted of violating federal laws, as opposed to state laws. Federal prisons vary in security levels, from minimum to high security, and are located throughout the country. Inmates may be incarcerated for offenses such as drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, or other federal crimes. These facilities provide incarceration, rehabilitation, and various programs to inmates.

What are some common challenges faced by correctional officers working in federal prisons?

Correctional officers in federal prisons often encounter challenges such as managing inmate behavior, ensuring safety and security within the facility, and maintaining professionalism under stressful conditions. They may also face emotionally demanding situations, including conflict resolution and responding to emergencies. Building effective communication skills and teamwork with other officers and staff is essential to handle these challenges and foster a safe environment for both inmates and personnel.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Federal Correctional Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Federal Correctional Officer, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, and knowledge of security procedures. Familiarity with surveillance systems, incident reporting software, and emergency response protocols is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, stress management, and conflict-resolution abilities help officers handle challenging situations and maintain safety. These skills ensure the security of the facility, the well-being of inmates and staff, and the effective enforcement of regulations.

How much do federal prisons pay?

Federal prison jobs, such as correctional officers, typically pay between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and rank. Additional benefits often include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave, with opportunities for overtime and career advancement.
What cities are hiring for Federal Prison jobs? Cities with the most Federal Prison job openings:
What states have the most Federal Prison jobs? States with the most job openings for Federal Prison jobs include:
Infographic showing various Federal Prison job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,075 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Safety & Occupational Health Manager (Safety Administrator)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Jonesville, VA • On-site, Remote

$89K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Summary
Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates safety program at an especially large and complex penitentiary, medical center or correctional complex typically involving a staff and inmate population in excess of 2,000 persons.
Conducts monthly inspections of all work areas of the facility to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
Must have specific and thorough understanding of: industrial, construction and facility processes that exist within the institution and the OSHA standards that apply to each.
Provides expert occupational health and safety, environmental and workers compensation services to ad hoc and standing FBOP groups and committees, organizations outside Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) as required, and to professional safety staff and administrators in Federal Prisons Camps, and Federal Prison Industries.
Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff's correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.

Career Transition Programs (CTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
  • 1. Meet CTAP eligibility criteria;
  • 2. Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
  • 3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility:

    • A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter),
    • Most recent performance appraisal, and
    • Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
    • See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.

NOTE: Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must complete all assessment questions to be rated under the established ranking criteria.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Qualifications
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:
Education:
GS-12 and GS-13: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.
Experience:
GS-12 and GS-13: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, experience must be in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Some examples of the qualifying specialized experience are:
GS-12:
  • Experience recommending to management the application of specific techniques, methods, and procedures to eliminate or control unsafe acts or conditions identified in surveys or through a mishap information system.
  • Experience planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, evaluating and financially managing a comprehensive safety and occupational health program. The goal of this program is to eliminate or control the risk of injury to personnel assigned to clerical, administrative, maintenance, warehousing, and industrial occupations.
  • Experience developing and preparing local safety and occupational health directives and regulations through adaptation of higher command instructions and policies formulated by other Federal Government agencies.
  • Experience training workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects.

GS-13:
  • Experience developing goals and objectives, prepares safety policies, procedures and guidelines, organizes and executes program budget, develops safety training curriculum and reviews proposed equipment procurement requests to insure the inclusion of necessary safety features.
  • Experience reviewing architectural and engineering drawings for new building construction, historic building preservation, and major alterations to recreational facilities; recommends changes as necessary to obtain compliance with standards and minimize risks to human life and damage to property.
  • Experience analyzing and critically reviews proposed national consensus standards developed by private safety associations, councils, and societies to ensure their technical feasibility, accuracy and applicability to industry requirements and to determine their possible adoption and use by the agency.
  • Experience participating in command meetings involving private contractors to assess safety and occupational health hazards related to contractor activities such as repair or installation of equipment and facilities.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as number of hours worked per week) spent in the activities.
**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**
Education
See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.
ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here.
Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.
Additional information
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution.
The representative rate for this position is $117,081 per annum ($56.10 per hour).
Special Conditions of Employment Section:
Initial appointment to a supervisory/managerial position requires a one-year probationary period.
The incumbent is subject to geographic relocation to meet the needs of the agency.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks.
All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.
Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.
The addresses listed on the USAJOBS account/resume must be the primary residence at the time of application. You may be required to provide proof of residence.
Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.
Although competitive and non-competitive applications are being accepted, the selecting official may elect to have only one group reviewed.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.