Overview
SourcedMaintain order in courts of law.
O*NET definition of Bailiffs (SOC 33-3011) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Bailiffs (SOC 33-3011) naming each level as required to be hired, 20 respondents, O*NET survey August 2020. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedCorrectional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically go to a training academy and then are assigned to a facility, where they receive on-the-job training. Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies have an age requirement for correctional officers. Some federal agencies also require officers to have a bachelor's degree or related work experience.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Correctional Officers and Bailiffs”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 33-3011
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Medium Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialRank and step: paramilitary rank × time-in-service step (officer → sergeant → lieutenant → captain …). Typical structure for a rank-structured agency; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trainee / recruit
- Officer (probationary)
- Officer (steps to top)
- Corporal / senior officer
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Chief / director
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 5,860 | $49,920 | $59,030 | $74,630 | $95,540 | $97,050 |
| Local | 11,340 | $30,690 | $37,380 | $48,580 | $60,750 | $77,660 |
| All government | 17,200 | $32,140 | $43,670 | $56,500 | $74,820 | $96,770 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
State government pay plans
Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Court Officer / Bailiff in 1 state civil-service plan. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.
| State | Job classes in the state plan | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | Bailiff | $28,496 – $42,744 |
Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Sources: 1 official state pay plan, linked in each row.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2020). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.4.7
- Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.4.6
- Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.4.5
- Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.4.4
- Guard lodging of sequestered jury.4.4
- Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.4.4
- Arrest persons in court when arrest warrants have been issued.4.3
- Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff's office.4.2
- Check courtroom for security and cleanliness and assure availability of sundry supplies, such as notepads, for use by judge, jurors, and attorneys.4.1
- Stop people from entering courtroom while judge charges jury.4.0
The 10 most important of 13 core tasks for Bailiffs, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2020.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYS Court Officer-Trainee Examination (#45-857) Statewide exam given at locations throughout New York State; exam window August 26 - October 7, 2026; candidates self-schedule test appointments. | New York State Unified Court System | New York State Unified Court System | written | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
Practice tests by state: 1 state. Pick yours:
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Bailiffs (SOC 33-3011) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 40 | $96,640 | $111,890 | $117,410 |
| Alaska | 60 | $36,120 | $90,600 | $113,820 |
| Massachusetts | 930 | $55,890 | $86,730 | $105,580 |
| Washington | 180 | $37,000 | $78,290 | $100,570 |
| New York | 3,830 | $56,400 | $77,540 | $96,770 |
| Nebraska | 50 | $47,310 | $76,090 | $76,610 |
| Nevada | 210 | $61,050 | $71,230 | $86,910 |
| Kansas | 450 | $58,390 | $69,390 | $82,280 |
| Colorado | 70 | $38,950 | $63,320 | $89,770 |
| Maine | 110 | $50,560 | $62,800 | $64,730 |
| Georgia | 670 | $26,220 | $62,400 | $200,670 |
| Virginia | 320 | $39,160 | $62,290 | $79,850 |
| Texas | 590 | $38,150 | $60,300 | $80,650 |
| Maryland | 410 | $45,750 | $59,470 | $62,920 |
| Florida | 940 | $37,380 | $59,000 | $83,340 |
| Utah | 40 | $52,420 | $57,290 | $79,210 |
| Oregon | 80 | $48,450 | $57,140 | $71,280 |
| North Carolina | 250 | $37,270 | $56,100 | $67,360 |
| Michigan | 780 | $37,000 | $53,810 | $62,500 |
| Iowa | 60 | $27,290 | $52,100 | $70,450 |
| Ohio | 1,640 | $39,570 | $51,060 | $73,980 |
| Idaho | 110 | $38,290 | $50,350 | $74,320 |
| Minnesota | 40 | $45,090 | $49,890 | $60,120 |
| Hawaii | 50 | $45,220 | $48,940 | $64,400 |
| Pennsylvania | 610 | $24,610 | $47,600 | $55,240 |
| Montana | 40 | $32,410 | $46,800 | $50,400 |
| Arizona | 270 | $39,020 | $46,390 | $60,180 |
| Illinois | 960 | $31,200 | $46,390 | $76,840 |
| Arkansas | 140 | $34,940 | $45,090 | $61,780 |
| Louisiana | 90 | $22,980 | $44,040 | $71,370 |
| Missouri | 280 | $31,780 | $44,040 | $62,400 |
| New Jersey | 50 | $36,600 | $43,690 | $69,640 |
| Indiana | 510 | $28,740 | $43,000 | $60,440 |
| Alabama | 150 | $33,050 | $42,300 | $56,600 |
| Oklahoma | 180 | $42,000 | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| New Hampshire | 60 | $37,200 | $41,010 | $52,350 |
| Wisconsin | 250 | $26,250 | $39,080 | $69,670 |
| Wyoming | 50 | $35,640 | $38,360 | $69,660 |
| Mississippi | 180 | $24,110 | $38,200 | $52,790 |
| West Virginia | 160 | $29,670 | $36,250 | $41,690 |
| Tennessee | 100 | $30,340 | $35,990 | $49,220 |
| South Carolina | 270 | $21,070 | $34,280 | $61,720 |
| Kentucky | 760 | $28,920 | $30,760 | $44,340 |
| North Dakota | 170 | $27,560 | $27,560 | $55,480 |
44 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules