Quick Facts: Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
2012 Median Pay
$48,190 per year $23.17 per hour
Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
On-the-job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2012
90,300
Job Outlook, 2012-22
-1% (Little or no change)
Employment Change, 2012-22
-900
What Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists Do
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work with and monitor offenders to prevent them from committing new crimes.
Work Environment
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists work with criminal offenders, some of whom may be dangerous. Workers may be assigned to fieldwork in high-crime areas or in institutions where there is a risk of violence or communicable disease. As a result, the work can be stressful and dangerous.
How to Become a Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists usually need a bachelor’s degree. In addition, most employers require candidates to pass oral, written, and psychological exams.
Pay
The median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was $48,190 in May 2012.
Job Outlook
Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to show little or no change from 2012 to 2022. Limited state and local government funding for corrections will temper employment growth. However, job openings should be plentiful because many people leave the occupation each year.
