How to become a corrections officer in North Dakota
The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) hires state corrections officers under the title Corrections Officer. New officers start at $51,210 a year.
Pay
| Starting salary | $51,210 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
Official posting (Corrections Officer NDSP, Job ID 3033964, closes 11/04/2026) lists a hiring range of $4,267.47-$4,589.87 monthly (×12 = $51,210-$55,078); starting pay within that range is set by experience and education. No official top-of-grade figure found.
Source:[cnd.nd.gov]
Requirements
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Complete all pre-employment requirements, including background check and fingerprinting
- No experience required; paid training provided
Source:[cnd.nd.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application via the State of ND Careers site (resume and cover letter required)
- Interview
- Background check and fingerprinting
- Paid training
Source:[cnd.nd.gov]
Academy
Length not published, paid. Posting says all training is provided and paid; length not stated.[cnd.nd.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS), Public Safety Retirement Plan
- Benefit formula: 1.75% × final average salary × years of service (members first enrolled after 12/31/2019); FAS = highest three consecutive 12-month periods of the last 180 months
- When you can retire: Normal: age 55 with 3 eligible years (36 months), or Rule of 85 (age + service); early from age 50 with 36 months
The NDPERS Main DB plan closed to new hires 1/1/2025 (they go to the DC 2025 plan), but 2025 HB 1274 expanded the Public Safety plan to state correctional officers (HB 1177 also covers officers still in the CO course). NDPERS new-hire guide lists 'State Public Safety' at 6.00% employee / 15.69% employer, 36 months to vest.
Source:[ndpers.nd.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.