1

Federal Prison System Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Federal Prison System information

See salary details

$15

$27

$42

How much do federal prison system jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for federal prison system in the United States is $27.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $31.97 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, strong observational skills, and completion of specialized training through the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Familiarity with security systems, incident reporting software, and communication devices is typically required. Excellent judgment, stress management, and interpersonal communication are essential soft skills for maintaining order and ensuring safety. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively managing inmate populations, preventing incidents, and fostering a secure correctional environment.

What do you need to work at a federal prison?

To work at a federal prison, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass background checks, and complete security clearance procedures. Relevant skills include good communication, physical fitness, and the ability to follow strict protocols; some positions may require specialized training or certifications. Applicants must also meet age and legal requirements set by federal regulations.

How hard is it to become a federal correctional officer?

Becoming a federal correctional officer typically requires meeting minimum age and education requirements, passing a background check, and completing a training academy. Candidates often need to demonstrate good physical fitness and pass written and psychological assessments; prior experience or military service can be advantageous. The process can be competitive and involves multiple steps, including interviews and drug testing.

What are some common challenges faced by correctional officers working in the Federal Prison System?

Correctional officers in the Federal Prison System often encounter challenges such as maintaining safety and security among inmates, managing high-stress situations, and effectively communicating with both inmates and staff. Working in this environment requires vigilance, strong conflict resolution skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Additionally, officers must adapt to strict procedures and rotating shifts, which can impact work-life balance, but teamwork and ongoing training help support staff in meeting these demands.

What is the Federal Prison System?

The Federal Prison System, formally known as the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), is a government agency responsible for the administration and operation of federal correctional facilities in the United States. It manages inmates who have been convicted of federal crimes, ensuring their incarceration, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society. The BOP oversees facilities ranging from minimum to high security and provides programs aimed at reducing recidivism. Staff within the system include correctional officers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and administrative personnel.

What is the highest paying job in prison?

In the federal prison system, the highest paying jobs are typically supervisory or specialized roles such as correctional officers with advanced training, unit managers, or administrative staff, which can earn higher salaries than standard correctional officer positions. These roles often require additional certifications, experience, and security clearances. However, prison jobs generally have lower pay compared to civilian law enforcement or security positions outside the system.

How much do federal prisons pay?

Federal prison employees, including correctional officers, typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and specific role. Salaries are often supplemented with benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and overtime opportunities, and require adherence to federal employment standards and background checks.

What is the difference between Federal Prison System vs Federal Correctional Officer?

AspectFederal Prison SystemFederal Correctional Officer
RoleOversees the operation of federal prisons and manages policiesEnforces rules, supervises inmates, and maintains security within federal prisons
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree or relevant experienceHigh school diploma or equivalent; training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Work EnvironmentFederal correctional facilities across the countryInside federal prisons, supervising inmates and security staff
EmployerU.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons

The Federal Prison System is the overarching agency managing federal correctional facilities, while Federal Correctional Officers are the personnel working within these facilities to ensure security and order. Understanding the distinction helps clarify career paths and job responsibilities within the federal correctional system.

More about Federal Prison System jobs
What cities are hiring for Federal Prison System jobs? Cities with the most Federal Prison System job openings:
What states have the most Federal Prison System jobs? States with the most job openings for Federal Prison System jobs include:
Infographic showing various Federal Prison System 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 $57,186 per year, or $27.5 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 5 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
Help
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
Help
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.
Expand Hide additional information
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
Help
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.