How to become a corrections officer in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Corrections hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer (class 86406). New officers start at $50,918 a year, rising to $70,720.
Pay
| Starting salary | $50,918 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $70,720 |
| Scale effective | 2026-06-19 |
$24.48/hr × 2080 after the July 2026 2% contract raise; top is the FY27 grade maximum ($34.00/hr).
Source:[das.iowa.gov]
Requirements
- Education: Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency
- Pass psychological tests
- Pass background investigation
- Pass post-offer health screen by an institutional physician
- Pass urinalysis drug screen
- Designated positions must obtain a Commercial Driver's License and endorsements
Source:[das.iowa.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application (State of Iowa jobs site)
- Psychological tests
- Background investigation
- Conditional offer
- Post-offer health screen
- Urinalysis drug screen
- Pre-service training at DOC Learning Center
Source:[das.iowa.gov]
Entrance exam
Psychological tests. The class description requires applicants to pass psychological tests; no named written or physical entrance exam is listed.[das.iowa.gov]
Academy
Length not published, paid. DOC says new hires get pre-service training of one to four weeks depending on job class at the DOC Learning Center in Des Moines, with classes and room and board at no expense to employees. No CO-specific length stated.[governmentjobs.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS), Protection Occupations (Special Service) group
- Benefit formula: Multiplier of about 2.7272% per year for the first 22 years and 2.5% per year for years 23-30 (maximum 80% at 30 years) × average of the highest three years of IPERS-covered wages
- When you can retire: Normal retirement generally age 55; members whose IPERS service is all Special Service are not reduced for early retirement
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Iowa Code 97B.49B names correctional officers employed by the Iowa DOC as protection occupation members. The 80%-at-30-years formula is an enhancement signed June 2, 2026 and effective July 1, 2026 (previous maximum 72%); IPERS says estimates may use the old formula until its software is updated. Employers and members split contributions 50/50.
Source:[legis.iowa.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.