Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
SOC Code: 21-1092Also known as:
Adult Probation and Parole Officer, Adult Probation Officer, Attendance Officer, Community Corrections Specialist, Community Supervision Officer
Median Annual Salary
$64,520
+2.6% growth (2024-2034)
8K
Openings/Year
92K
Current Jobs
What Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists Do
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
💰 Salary
$64,520
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+2.6%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
8K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
92,300
Projected Employment (2034)
94,800
Related Careers
Rehabilitation counselors
$46,110 •
+1.4% growth
Child, family, and school social workers
$58,570 •
+3.4% growth
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
$60,060 •
+9.7% growth
First-line supervisors of correctional officers
$76,310 •
-2.8% growth
Correctional officers and jailers
$57,970 •
-7.8% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
- Gather information about offenders' backgrounds by talking to offenders, their families and friends, and other people who have relevant information.
- Interview probationers and parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.
- Discuss with offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played roles in their criminal behavior.
- Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of probationers by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.
- Investigate alleged parole violations, using interviews, surveillance, and search and seizure.
- Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to noncompliance with terms of probation or parole.
- Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
- Develop liaisons and networks with other parole officers, community agencies, correctional institutions, psychiatric facilities, and aftercare agencies to plan for helping offenders with life adjustments.
- Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a probation officers and correctional treatment specialists:
Social Work
57,279 degrees awarded •
781 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become probation officers and correctional treatment specialists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do probation officers and correctional treatment specialists make?
The median annual salary for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is $64,520.
What education do probation officers and correctional treatment specialists need?
Most probation officers and correctional treatment specialists positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Social Work.
Is becoming probation officers and correctional treatment specialists a good career choice?
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to see +2.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 7,900 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists?
Top colleges for aspiring probation officers and correctional treatment specialists include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Southern California, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York University, Boston University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to probation officers and correctional treatment specialists?
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists may also be known as: Adult Probation and Parole Officer, Adult Probation Officer, Attendance Officer, Community Corrections Specialist, Community Supervision Officer, Correctional Case Manager, Correctional Casework Specialist, Correctional Counselor, Correctional Officer, Correctional Probation Officer, Correctional Probation Specialist, Correctional Specialist, Correctional Treatment Case Manager, Correctional Treatment Specialist, Corrections Counselor, Corrections Specialist, Court Worker, Crime Prevention Worker, DCC Parole Officer (Division of Community Corrections Parole Officer), Deputy Juvenile Officer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.