How to become a corrections officer in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer. New officers start at $73,570 a year, rising to $87,131 after about 25 years.
Pay
| Starting salary | $73,570 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $87,131 |
| Years to top | 25 |
| Scale effective | 2026-06-28 |
Pay Range 05-31 in the 2025–27 State Compensation Plan ($35.37–$41.89/hr × 2080). Night and weekend shift bonuses are extra.
Source:[dpm.wi.gov]
Hiring process
- Online application via wisc.jobs
- Seven-week paid academy incl. on-the-job training at an institution
Source:[doc.wi.gov]
Academy
7 weeks, paid. Paid seven-week academy including on-the-job training at a correctional institution; classroom covers report writing, weapons familiarization, supervision, communication, standards of conduct.[doc.wi.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - protective category with Social Security
- Benefit formula: 2.0% x final average earnings x years of protective service (post-2011 service), capped at 65% of FAE; or money-purchase amount if higher
- When you can retire: Normal retirement age 54, or 53 with 25 years of creditable service; minimum (reduced) retirement age 50, reduced 0.4% per month under normal age
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
DOC CO pay sheet: 'retirement as early as 50 years old', employer contribution 14.95%, employee 6.95% (2025). Protective classification of COs inferred from DOC sheet (age-50 eligibility); formula from ETF fact sheet ET-8901 (rev 1/9/2026).
Source:[etf.wi.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.