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How much do prison instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for prison instructor in the United States is $21.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Prison Instructors?

Prison Instructors are professionals who provide educational, vocational, or rehabilitative training to inmates within correctional facilities. Their goal is to help prisoners develop new skills, gain knowledge, and improve their chances of successful reintegration into society after release. Prison Instructors may teach academic subjects, trades, or life skills, and often work closely with correctional staff to maintain a safe learning environment. Their role is crucial in reducing recidivism and supporting inmates’ personal development.

What is the difference between Prison Instructor vs Correctional Officer?

AspectPrison InstructorCorrectional Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED; some roles may require teaching certifications or specialized trainingHigh school diploma or GED; basic correctional training required
Work EnvironmentClassrooms, training facilities, or educational settings within correctional institutionsPrison facilities, security posts, and inmate housing areas
Employer & Industry UsageEducational and correctional institutions focusing on inmate rehabilitation and educationCorrectional facilities responsible for inmate supervision and security

Prison Instructors primarily focus on inmate education and rehabilitation within correctional facilities, often working in classrooms or training environments. Correctional Officers, on the other hand, are responsible for maintaining security, supervising inmates, and enforcing rules within prisons. While both roles operate within correctional settings, their core duties and required credentials differ, making them distinct but related careers in the criminal justice industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Prison Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prison Instructor, you need a solid background in education or vocational training, often supported by a teaching credential or relevant certification. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), curriculum development tools, and basic security protocols is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and effectively engage learners in a correctional environment. These competencies are crucial for delivering impactful instruction, maintaining safety, and supporting rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

What are some common challenges faced by Prison Instructors, and how can they be managed effectively?

Prison Instructors often encounter challenges such as engaging learners with diverse backgrounds, addressing varying literacy levels, and managing classroom behavior in a secure environment. Building strong rapport, adapting teaching methods to individual needs, and collaborating closely with correctional staff are essential strategies for success. Additionally, maintaining flexibility and resilience helps instructors navigate institutional policies and unexpected disruptions while ensuring a supportive learning atmosphere for inmates.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Prison Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Prison Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Prison Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Prison Instructor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Prison Instructor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Prison Instructor jobs are:
Prison Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prison Instructor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 97% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 89% Physical, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,102 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Business Administration Instructor

SCI Acquistion Co Inc

Phoenix, AZ

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

The Small Business Start-Up Instructor is responsible for providing instruction, conducting classroom and lab activities, content coordination and curriculum review for inmates at FCI/FCP Phoenix Prison. Instructor will deliver all course materials and instruction for the Small Business Start-Up program and prepare inmates for the workplace upon release. Instructor must be knowledgeable of and adhere to all institutional educational policies and procedures of Southern Careers Institute, as well as any safety and security policies and procedures of FCI/FCP Phoenix Prison. Instructor must maintain records as required by SCI and FCI/FCP Phoenix Prison. The Instructor's primary responsibility is to train inmates for job placement upon release.

As a federal contractor for the United States Government, Southern Careers Institute does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), 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.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as lead instructor for the assigned teaching field and curriculum program;
  • Work in a cooperative setting with administration, students, and support personnel to accomplish the mutual goal of training and placing our students;
  • Practice excellence in teaching and instruction;
  • Prepare lesson plans and teach course as prescribed by the approved institutional curriculum;
  • Issue lab assignments, administer tests and maintain a record of student grades;
  • Conduct classes in a professional and educational environment;
  • Enforce school and prison policies and procedures;
  • Exhibit reliability to the students through good attendance and punctuality (i.e. to start and end class on time);
  • Maintain proper discipline and order in the classroom with the assistance of prison personnel so that learning is not hindered by unacceptable student behavior;
  • Motivate students to learn and enjoy the material being studied;
  • Demonstrate evidence of professional growth and academic currency;
  • Assist with problem solving for student issues

Special Duties, Responsibilities, and Expectations

This course will be taught over a period at the Federal Correctional Institute. As the lead instructor of this course, you will be required to adhere to special policies, procedures and expectations set by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice. You must attend all safety, security and special training meetings set by FCI/FCP Phoenix Prison. Failure to attend any safety, security or training meetings required by FCI/FCP Phoenix Prison and/or the Federal Bureau of Prisons will result in immediate termination. Please review the section below on additional requirements for employees working under federal contracts.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 4 years Instructor experience at a College/Junior College level;
  • 2 year's experience working in a correctional facility
  • Bachelor's Degree required;
  • Possess skills to provide instruction in Small Buiness Start Up
  • Compliance with Homeland Security, and Federal procedures including background checks.
  • You must comply with all health and safety requirements of FCI/FCP Phoenix Prison, including but not limited to, any vaccination requirements and/or requirements to wear a mask or follow other preventive measures while at the facility. The Bureau of Prisons expects contractors and employees to make a reasonable effort to keep performance at an acceptable level during emergency periods. You are responsible for immediately notifying your supervisor if you know that you will be absent as a result of a health emergency.
  • Any violations of FCI/FCP Phoenix Prison and/or Federal Bureau of Prisons policies may result in adverse employment actions, including immediate termination.

Benefits

  • Training & Development
  • Fun & Energetic, Family-Based Environment
  • Continuous Growth Opportunities
  • Medical, Dental, & Vision Options
  • Health Savings & Flexible Spending Options (HSA & FSA)
  • Basic Life & Accident Insurance
  • Short & Long-term Disability
  • 401K Retirement Plan
  • Accrual Under the Final Rule, employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked on or in connection with a covered contract.
  • SCI is an Equal Opportunity employer.

About Southern Careers Institute

SCI has been changing lives for over 60 years, now and we’re just getting started. We offer certification-based training with programs in Medical, Business, Cosmetology, Skilled-Trades and Technology with campuses spanning across central and south Texas as well as online. Our students can graduate most of our programs in under one year and with real-world experience under their belt.