How to become a corrections officer in Texas
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer I (career ladder CO I - CO III - Senior Correctional Officer). New officers start at $52,441 a year, rising to $63,072 after about 6 years. You must be at least 18.
Pay
| Starting salary | $52,441 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $63,072 |
| Years to top | 6 |
| Scale effective | 2025-09-01 |
Full-time, non-maximum unit: CO I 0-2 months $4,370.10/mo ($52,441); Senior CO at 73+ months $5,256.02/mo ($63,072). Maximum-security units add 3% differential (start $54,014, top $64,965). Veterans with 2+ yrs active service or associate's degree start as CO III ($4,704.60/mo); 4+ yrs service or bachelor's start as Senior CO.
Source:[tdcj.texas.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: High school diploma from an accredited senior high school or equivalent, or state-issued GED
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or alien authorized to work in the U.S.
- Never convicted of a felony or of domestic/family violence
- No Class A misdemeanor conviction in last 10 years; no Class B misdemeanor in last 3 years
- Not on probation/deferred adjudication; no pending charges or warrants
- Not prohibited from possessing a firearm
- Not dishonorably discharged; not on active duty (unless terminal leave)
- Selective Service registration for males 18-25
- Pass drug test and physical agility test
- Passing composite evaluation (application, background, references, interview); computer proficiency
Source:[tdcj.texas.gov]
Hiring process
- Application
- Interview
- Criminal background check and employer references (composite evaluation)
- Drug test
- Physical agility test
- Pre-service training academy
Source:[tdcj.texas.gov]
Academy
6 weeks, paid. About 240 hours, normally ~6 weeks at TDCJ academies (Beeville, Gatesville, Palestine, Huntsville, Rosharon, Plainview); state employment begins day one of academy; three self-paced physical agility tests during academy; free lodging may be provided.[tdcj.texas.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) - Group 4 cash balance with Law Enforcement and Custodial Officer (LECO) supplemental
- Benefit formula: Cash balance: member 6% to regular account + 2% to LECO supplemental account; 4% guaranteed annual interest plus gain-share up to 3%; at retirement state matches 150% of regular account and 300% of LECO account, converted to a lifetime annuity
- When you can retire: Combined regular + LECO annuity at 20 years of LECO service credit (any age); or age 55 with 10 years LECO service, or age 65 with 5 years state service (regular annuity only, LECO balance paid as lump sum). Vested in regular account after 5 years.
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
Group 4 applies to LECOs starting on or after September 1, 2022. Handout dated 01/18/2023.
Source:[ers.texas.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.