How to become a corrections officer in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer I (non-competitive promotion to Correctional Officer II after 1 year). New officers start at $54,447 a year, rising to $85,873. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $54,447 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $85,873 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
Correctional Officer I is grade CO/CORR 0003 on the State Correctional Salary Schedule effective July 1, 2026: step 5 $54,447 (hiring rate; DPSCS career events list the same $54,447) to step 28 $85,873. After one year and probation, officers are promoted to Correctional Officer II with a 6% raise. DPSCS advertises bonuses up to $7,500 (e.g. $2,000 after academy, $3,000 after probation, plus regional bonus for Hagerstown/Cumberland/Eastern Shore). Time per step not stated on the schedule.
Source:[dbm.maryland.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or GED; no experience required
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or resident alien
- Completed background investigation
- Oral interview
- Physical examination
- Must be certified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions within one year of hire
Source:[dpscs.state.md.us]
Hiring process
- Online application (JobAps) meeting minimum qualifications
- Correctional Officer Entrance Exam / written assessment (now virtual)
- Interview and background screening (fingerprints, criminal history, credit check, references, education verification)
- Polygraph examination
- Physical examination
- Psychological evaluation
- Urinalysis drug test
- Entry-level training academy
Source:[dpscs.maryland.gov]
Entrance exam
Correctional Officer Entrance Exam
Academy
7 weeks, paid. DPSCS training pages describe a paid seven-week Correctional Entry Level Training Program (the older DPSCS FAQ says 6 weeks, at regular pay, non-residential) at academies in the Baltimore area, Hagerstown, Cumberland or Wicomico County; MPCTC certification required.[dpscs.state.md.us]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Maryland State Retirement and Pension System - Correctional Officers' Retirement System (CORS)
- Benefit formula: 1/55 × Average Final Compensation × years of creditable service; AFC = average of the five highest earning years for members hired on or after July 1, 2011
- When you can retire: Members enrolled on or after July 1, 2011: age 55 with at least 10 years of eligibility service, or 20 years of eligibility service regardless of age; vested at 10 years
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Member contribution fixed at 5% of salary. COLA on post-2011 service capped at 2.5% (1% when investment return target is missed). Handbook updated July 2022; its retirement checklist directs members to apply for Social Security benefits alongside the pension.
Source:[sra.maryland.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.