How to become a corrections officer in Wyoming
The Wyoming Department of Corrections hires state corrections officers under the title Correctional Officer (class COPR05). New officers start at $56,056 a year. You must be at least 18.
Pay
| Starting salary | $56,056 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2026-08-27 |
Posting 2026-02121 (Wyoming State Penitentiary, opened 08/27/2026) lists $26.95/hr flat hiring rate (x 2080). Raised from $25.26/hr announced Nov 2024. Pay range maximum for class COPR05 is in the State Classification and Pay Structure, not retrieved. Longevity pay offered.
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: High school diploma or GED
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Valid driver's license
- No felony or domestic violence conviction
- Pass background/reference check, medical and psychological evaluation, physical fitness exam, urinalysis drug screen
- Meet WDOC dress code (facial hair, body art, piercings)
- Obtain Wyoming POST Correctional Officer Certification within one year of appointment
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Hiring process
- Online State of Wyoming application
- Pre-employment background questionnaire + documents (diploma, credit report, license, SS card, birth certificate, DD214)
- Background/reference check
- Medical and psychological evaluation
- Physical fitness exam
- Drug screen
- WDOC academy and POST certification within 1 year
Source:[corrections.wyo.gov]
Academy
9 weeks, paid.[corrections.wyo.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Wyoming Retirement System - Law Enforcement Pension Plan
- Benefit formula: 2.5% x highest average salary (highest 60 continuous months) x years of service, capped at 75% of HAS
- When you can retire: Unreduced at age 60 when vested, or 20 years of service at any age; reduced 5%/yr below age 60
Handbook lists DOC correctional officers as covered by the Law Enforcement Pension Plan; posting calls it a '20-year retirement'. Handbook says not all LE plan members pay into Social Security; coverage depends on employer.
Source:[retirement.wyo.gov]
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-23. Pay plans change; confirm with the employer before applying.