Pay and Benefits
Peace Officers with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) receive one of the most competitive pay and benefits packages in the United States.
While in the apprenticeship program, Peace Officers can expect a salary adjustment of 5 percent every 6 months until the maximum of the range is reached. Thereafter, Peace Officers can expect to receive a salary adjustment of 5 percent every 12 months until the top of that salary range has been reached.
Peace Officers receive health, dental, and vision benefits. Peace Officers also earn vacation leave, sick leave, and holiday credits, and may be eligible for special educational and physical fitness incentive pay.
PEACE OFFICER SALARIES
Correctional Officer / Youth Correctional Officer
Range A = $3,050 (This monthly rate shall apply to individuals while attending the Basic Correctional Officer Academy/Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy)
Range J = $3,774 - (Successful completion of the Basic Correctional Officer Academy/Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy)
Range K = $6,144 (Top step of pay scale)
Range A = $3,050 (This monthly rate shall apply to individuals while attending the Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy)
Range J = $4,142 (Successful completion of the Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy)
Range K = $6,743 (Top step of pay scale)
Range A = $5,188 (This monthly rate shall apply to individuals while attending the Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy)
Range J = $5,447 (Successful completion of the Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy)
Range K = $7,772 (Top step of pay scale)
Range A = $5,033 (This monthly rate shall apply to individuals while attending the Parole Agent Academy)
Range J = $5,285 (Successful completion of the Parole Agent Academy)
Range K = $7,437 (Top step of pay scale)
PEACE OFFICER RETIREMENT
Upon permanent appointment to a Peace Officer position, individuals are enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and become members of the State Peace Officer/Firefighter retirement category. This retirement system is one of the best in the nation. Peace Officers may retire at age 50, earning 3 percent of their salary for every year worked as a Peace Officer. Actual pension is determined based on years of service as a Peace Officer. For example, Peace Officers can retire with approximately 90 percent of their income at age 50, after 30 years of service.
PEACE OFFICER BENEFITS
Full Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
Sick leave accrued at a rate of 8 hours per month. May be taken for family, self, or significant others in household.
Vacation Leave
Vacation is accrued as follows: 7 months to 3 years state service earns 8 hours per month. 37 months to 10 years state service earns 11 hours per month. 121 months to 15 years state service earns 13 hours per month. 181 months to 20 years state service earns 14 hours per month. 241 months and over state service earns 15 hours per month. Shift Differential A shift-differential of 50 cents per hour is paid for 1st and 3rd watches (between 6pm and 6am).
Uniform Replacement Allowance
An allowance of $530 shall be paid to a permanent employee that wears a uniform and uniform accessories full-time. A $305 allowance is paid to a permanent employee that wears a uniform and uniform accessories part-time.
Paid Holidays
Compensation is paid for official state holidays. There are 13 actual official holidays. In addition, each employee receives 1 personal holiday to be used per fiscal year.
Recruitment Incentive
$175 per month is paid to Correctional Officers employed at Correctional Training Facility, San Quentin, and Salinas Valley State Prison.
Recruitment and Retention Differential Pay
An annual allotment of $2,400 will apply to persons accepting positions at Avenal, Calipatria, Centinela, Chuckawalla Valley, and Ironwood State Prisons, payable 30 days following the completion of every 12 consecutive qualifying pay periods.
Bilingual Pay
If state certified and recognized by the Department as utilizing bilingual skills, employee shall receive $100 per month pay differential.
Education
For Correctional Officers and Youth Correctional Officers: $135 per pay period is paid if employee has attained either an associate of arts degree, bachelors degree or higher, or 60 semester units (or the equivalent quarter units) from an accredited college or university.
For Youth Correctional Counselors, Correctional Counselors and Parole Agents: $135 per pay period is paid if employee has attained a master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Physical Fitness Incentive Pay
Employees with less than five (5) years of service shall receive a flat rate of $65 per month for successfully completing the physical fitness test. Employees with more than five (5) years of service shall receive $130 per month upon successful completion of the physical fitness test.
401 (k) Plan
Employees in Unit 6 are to be included in the State of California, DPA’s 401 (k) Deferred Compensation Program.
For more information about benefits, please review the Contract for Bargaining Unit 6.