Sign up for our newsletter
Join our newsletter to receive the latest updates and insights in online education. Get exclusive access to in-depth articles, expert advice, and special offers tailored for your educational journey.
Join our newsletter to receive the latest updates and insights in online education. Get exclusive access to in-depth articles, expert advice, and special offers tailored for your educational journey.
This bar graph shows the annual salary for Parole Officers.
Data sourced from O*NET Online, provided by the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics wage estimates.
This line chart shows the projected job growth over 10 years for Parole Officers.
Projected Growth Rate in Job Openings by 2031: 0%
Data sourced from CareerOneStop, provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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.
Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned inmate or offender.
Becoming a parole officer is a rewarding career path that allows you to play a pivotal role in the criminal justice system. As a parole officer, you will be responsible for supervising individuals who have been released from prison, helping to ensure they reintegrate into society successfully. Here's a step-by-step guide to becoming a parole officer.
Before pursuing this career, it's important to understand what the role entails. Parole officers:
To become a parole officer, you typically need at least a bachelor's degree. Preferred fields of study include:
Some employers may require a master's degree for advanced positions.
Experience in the following areas can be beneficial:
Consider internships or volunteer work to gain hands-on experience in these areas.
Depending on the state or agency you wish to work for, you may need to obtain certification. This can include:
Check with your state's department of corrections or similar agency for specific requirements.
Key skills for parole officers include:
Once you have met the educational and certification requirements:
To stay current in the field:
By following these steps and staying committed to professional growth, you can establish a successful career as a parole officer.
To pursue a career as a parole officer, candidates typically need to meet the following requirements:
Career advancement for parole officers can occur through several avenues:
Salaries for parole officers can vary based on location, experience, and education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists was approximately $55,690 as of May 2020. It's important to research region-specific data to get an accurate picture of salary expectations.
Yes, there are several professional organizations that parole officers can join:
The job outlook for parole officers is generally stable. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists will grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand will be driven by the need to supervise and rehabilitate offenders rather than incarcerate them.
Parole officers have a variety of daily tasks that may include:
While most parole officer positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, there may be some agencies that accept candidates with significant experience in corrections, law enforcement, or social work in lieu of formal education. It's important to check with specific state or local agencies for their particular requirements.
Remember to stay updated with the latest information from your state’s department of corrections or similar regulatory body to ensure you meet all current requirements for becoming a parole officer.