Bailiffs salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $56,600 | $27.21 |
| Mean (average) | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| 90th percentile | $96,770 | $46.53 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Bailiffs pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 45 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,300 | $33,050 | $56,600 | 150 | 0.62 |
| Alaska | $90,600 | $36,120 | $113,820 | 60 | 1.71 |
| Arizona | $46,390 | $39,020 | $60,180 | 270 | 0.74 |
| Arkansas | $45,090 | $34,940 | $61,780 | 140 | 0.93 |
| Colorado | $63,320 | $38,950 | $89,770 | 70 | 0.21 |
| Connecticut | $111,890 | $96,640 | $117,410 | 40 | 0.2 |
| Florida | $59,000 | $37,380 | $83,340 | 940 | 0.85 |
| Georgia | $62,400 | $26,220 | $200,670 | 670 | 1.24 |
| Hawaii | $48,940 | $45,220 | $64,400 | 50 | 0.67 |
| Idaho | $50,350 | $38,290 | $74,320 | 110 | 1.11 |
| Illinois | $46,390 | $31,200 | $76,840 | 960 | 1.42 |
| Indiana | $43,000 | $28,740 | $60,440 | 510 | 1.42 |
| Iowa | $52,100 | $27,290 | $70,450 | 60 | 0.34 |
| Kansas | $69,390 | $58,390 | $82,280 | 450 | 2.79 |
| Kentucky | $30,760 | $28,920 | $44,340 | 760 | 3.42 |
| Louisiana | $44,040 | $22,980 | $71,370 | 90 | 0.43 |
| Maine | $62,800 | $50,560 | $64,730 | 110 | 1.51 |
| Maryland | $59,470 | $45,750 | $62,920 | 410 | 1.34 |
| Massachusetts | $86,730 | $55,890 | $105,580 | 930 | 2.3 |
| Michigan | $53,810 | $37,000 | $62,500 | 780 | 1.59 |
| Minnesota | $49,890 | $45,090 | $60,120 | 40 | 0.11 |
| Mississippi | $38,200 | $24,110 | $52,790 | 180 | 1.36 |
| Missouri | $44,040 | $31,780 | $62,400 | 280 | 0.85 |
| Montana | $46,800 | $32,410 | $50,400 | 40 | 0.71 |
| Nebraska | $76,090 | $47,310 | $76,610 | 50 | 0.47 |
| Nevada | $71,230 | $61,050 | $86,910 | 210 | 1.2 |
| New Hampshire | $41,010 | $37,200 | $52,350 | 60 | 0.78 |
| New Jersey | $43,690 | $36,600 | $69,640 | 50 | 0.11 |
| New York | $77,540 | $56,400 | $96,770 | 3,830 | 3.56 |
| North Carolina | $56,100 | $37,270 | $67,360 | 250 | 0.45 |
| North Dakota | $27,560 | $27,560 | $55,480 | 170 | 3.65 |
| Ohio | $51,060 | $39,570 | $73,980 | 1,640 | 2.66 |
| Oklahoma | $42,000 | $42,000 | $52,000 | 180 | 0.96 |
| Oregon | $57,140 | $48,450 | $71,280 | 80 | 0.35 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,600 | $24,610 | $55,240 | 610 | 0.91 |
| Puerto Rico | $37,770 | $35,770 | $47,580 | 830 | 7.94 |
| South Carolina | $34,280 | $21,070 | $61,720 | 270 | 1.04 |
| Tennessee | $35,990 | $30,340 | $49,220 | 100 | 0.28 |
| Texas | $60,300 | $38,150 | $80,650 | 590 | 0.37 |
| Utah | $57,290 | $52,420 | $79,210 | 40 | 0.2 |
| Virginia | $62,290 | $39,160 | $79,850 | 320 | 0.7 |
| Washington | $78,290 | $37,000 | $100,570 | 180 | 0.45 |
| West Virginia | $36,250 | $29,670 | $41,690 | 160 | 1.99 |
| Wisconsin | $39,080 | $26,250 | $69,670 | 250 | 0.76 |
| Wyoming | $38,360 | $35,640 | $69,660 | 50 | 1.57 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for bailiffs
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,600. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for bailiffs
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Criminal Justice/Police Science CIP 43.0107
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
- Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
- Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
- Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
- Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
- Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.
- Arrest persons in court when arrest warrants have been issued.
- Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff's office.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft SharePoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Case management system software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Court docket management software
- Email software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
- State crime information databases
- Statistics software
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Coordination, Persuasion, Service Orientation.
Common job titles: Bailiff, Court Bailiff, Court Constable, Court Deputy, Court Officer, Court Security Officer, Deputy Bailiff, Deputy Court Services Sheriff, Security Officer.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do bailiffs make?
The national median annual wage for bailiffs was $56,600 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $32,140 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $96,770. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do bailiffs need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is bailiffs a growing career?
BLS projects employment of bailiffs to change -1.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,600 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay bailiffs the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Connecticut ($111,890), Alaska ($90,600), Massachusetts ($86,730). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.