How to become a corrections officer in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer (Correctional Security Officer job family; advances to Corporal). New officers start at $44,681 a year, rising to $46,925 after about 1 years. You must be at least 20.
Pay
| Starting salary | $44,681 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $46,925 |
| Years to top | 1 |
Correctional Officer $44,680.90; increases to $46,924.80 (Corporal) after 12 months. Those are the only two rates listed for the entry title; longevity pay and facility bonuses are separate.
Source:[oklahoma.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 20
- Education: High school diploma or GED (or 30 college semester hours), plus graduation from a Department/CLEET-certified training course within the first 6 months (57 O.S. §510.A.2)
- Pass minimum testing or professional (psychological) evaluation through Human Capital Management
- Pass pre-employment and annual physical exam
- Valid driver's license at appointment
- Drug testing
- Background investigation; any felony or a domestic-violence misdemeanor conviction fails it
- Willing to work any shift or day
Hiring process
- Apply on the State of Oklahoma Workday job board (pick facility/county preferences)
- Applicant questionnaire and background investigation
- Testing / psychological evaluation
- Pre-employment physical and drug test
- Work at assigned facility with a Field Training Officer until the academy starts
- 8-week live-in academy in Oklahoma City
Academy
8 weeks, paid. Live-in academy in Oklahoma City, Sunday 6 PM to Thursday 6 PM, home on weekends; lodging and meals provided. Cadets are hired employees during it (they work with an FTO before the academy starts). Next listed start: January 4, 2027.[okgov.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), hazardous duty defined benefit plan
- Benefit formula: Final average compensation (highest 5 of last 10 years, for members joining on/after July 1, 2013) × years of service × 2.5% on whole years for up to 20 years of hazardous duty service (2.0% for other service)
- When you can retire: Unreduced at any age with 20 full years in the hazardous duty plan, retiring from a hazardous duty position; otherwise (members since Nov 1, 2011) age 65 with 6 years, or age 60 with age + service = 90; vested at 8 years
Correctional Security Officer is a statutory hazardous duty position, so these officers are in the OPERS DB plan rather than the Pathfinder DC plan used for most state hires since 2015. Employee contribution 8.0% for the first 20 years of hazardous duty service. Plan provisions as of July 1, 2026.
Source:[opers.ok.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.