Pay and Benefits
You can learn more about available benefits by viewing the Bargaining Unit 6 contract.
Salary Ranges
Salary benefits begin when you arrive at the academy.
After completion of the Academy, cadets are moved to a higher range in the pay scale. Thereafter, semi-annual and annual adjustments to higher ranges are made until the Correctional Officer reaches the top of the pay scale.
Correctional Officer
| During Academy | $3,999 /month |
| After Academy | $4,920 /month |
| Top of Pay Scale | $8,216 /month |
Youth Correctional Officer
| During Academy | $3,999 /month |
| After Academy | $4,920 /month |
| Top of Pay Scale | $8,216 /month |
Youth Correctional Counselor
| During Academy | $3,999 /month |
| After Academy | $5,384 /month |
| Top of Pay Scale | $9,001 /month |
Pay Bonus
CDCR offers recruitment and retention pay or housing stipends at some institutions in addition to the regular salary.
Recruitment and Retention Differential Pay:
Persons accepting positions at the institutions listed below will receive an additional $2,600 differential pay (two payments of $1,300). The first payment will be after completion of six qualifying pay periods.
The second payment will be after completion of an additional six consecutive qualifying pay periods.
- Avenal State Prison
- California Correctional Center
- Calipatria State Prison
- Centinela State Prison
- Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
- High Desert State Prison
- Ironwood State Prison
- Pelican Bay State Prison
Housing Stipend Pay:
An additional $200 per month housing stipend will be paid to persons accepting positions at the following institutions:
- Correctional Training Facility
- Salinas Valley State Prison
- San Quentin State Prison
Check out the list of Priority Prisons that have immediate hiring needs, incentives are paid at these institutions. Although processing times will vary, priority processing may result in an earlier hire date.
If you are willing to work at one or more of these institutions, complete the Priority Hiring Form and submit it during your Physical Fitness Test.
Benefits
CDCR offers exceptional benefits for Correctional Officers.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Sick and Vacation Leave
- Paid Holidays
- Recruitment Incentive (only available at specific institutions)
- Recruitment and Retention Differential Pay (only available at specific institutions)
- Bilingual Pay
- Education incentive
- 401 (k) Plan
- 457 Deferred Compensation
Post 9/11 GI Bill ®
Military and veteran applicants may be eligible to receive Montgomery and/or Post 9-11 GI Bill. CDCR has been certified by the Department of Veteran Affairs as an approved Veterans Education program for cadets enrolled in the Basic Correctional Officer Academy and during the correctional officer’s two year apprenticeship an any CDCR facility.
Retirement
CalPERS Retirement – 2.5% at 57 years of age
Your benefit factor is the percentage of pay to which you are entitled for each year of service. It is determined by your age at retirement and the retirement formula based on your membership date with each employer. Visit www.calpers.ca.gov for detailed information regarding safety retirement.
After 25 years of service, 100% paid retiree health benefits.