How to become a corrections officer in Nevada
The Nevada Department of Corrections hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer Trainee / Correctional Officer. New officers start at $63,538 a year, rising to $103,001. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $63,538 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $103,001 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-01 |
State classified pay schedule for bargaining unit G, effective July 1, 2026. Correctional Officer Trainee is grade 34 (step 1 $30.43/hr = $63,537.84 under the Employee/Employer contribution plan, PP01G). Trainees move to Correctional Officer, grade 36, after a year and POST certification; grade 36 step 10 is $49.33/hr = $103,001.04 (top used here). Steps go 1-10, roughly one per year of service, so expect about 10+ years to top. Employer-paid contribution plan (PP02G) pays lower gross: grade 34 step 1 $25.70/hr ($53,661.60), grade 36 step 10 $41.67/hr ($87,006.96). Senior Correctional Officer (grade 37) is a separate advanced class.
Source:[hr.nv.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent plus two years of work experience, or an equivalent combination
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Must meet Nevada peace officer minimum standards (NRS/NAC) and earn Category III Peace Officer certification at a Nevada POST-approved academy
- Pre-employment controlled-substance screening (NRS 284.4066)
- Valid driver's license at appointment and throughout employment
- Strict annual physical exam (Heart/Lung provisions)
- Subject to call-back, short-notice overtime, shifts, weekends and holidays
Source:[leg.state.nv.us]
Hiring process
- Online application
- Recruiter review of education/experience
- POST physical fitness test
- Personal history questionnaire + fingerprinting
- Background investigation with clarification interview
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical exam
- Interview
- Offer
Academy
Length not published, paid. Trainees are paid state employees who receive structured classroom and on-the-job training and must earn Category III POST certification; academy length not found on an official page.[hr.nv.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS), Police/Fire plan
- Benefit formula: 2.5% x years of service x highest 36-month average compensation (each 12-month period capped at a 10% increase unless promotion-related), for members enrolled on or after July 1, 2015
- When you can retire: Police/fire members enrolled on or after July 1, 2015: age 65 with 5 years, age 60 with 10 years, or age 50 with 20 years (NRS 286.510(2)(c)); early retirement reduced 6% per year
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
Tier for new hires = membership on or after July 1, 2015. Pay can be under the Employee/Employer plan (employee pays half) or the Employer-Paid plan (lower gross salary). Police/fire membership for NDOC officers inferred from their Category III peace officer status; not stated on a page read.
Source:[leg.state.nv.us]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.