How to become a probation and parole officer in Kentucky
The Kentucky Department of Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole hires state probation and parole officers under the title Probation and Parole Officer I. New probation and parole officers start at $49,220 a year. You must be at least 21.
Pay
| Starting salary | $49,220 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | — |
| Scale effective | 2026-09-16 |
Pay grade 14. Special entrance rate $25.241/hr = $4,101.66/month on a 37.5-hour week (× 12 = $49,219.92) or $4,375.12/month on a 40-hour week (× 12 = $52,501.44). Grade 14 minimum $22.602/hr, midpoint $33.903/hr; the class spec and salary schedule show only minimum and midpoint, no maximum.
Source:[personnel.ky.gov]
Pay for this work across Kentucky
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Kentucky, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 830 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $54,070 |
| Median pay | $59,610 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $69,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree. Experience in probation and/or parole work, corrections, law enforcement, criminal justice, social work dealing with offender rehabilitation, or supervision and care of young adults (ages 12-21) in a residential, correctional, group home, detention or day treatment program substitutes for the education year-for-year; current or prior military experience also substitutes year-for-year.
- Must carry and/or use a firearm; must not be prohibited from possessing firearms and must complete required firearms safety training
- No conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, a felony, or trafficking in narcotics/dangerous drugs/controlled substances
- May be required to hold a valid driver's license
- Drug screen and background check may be required; PREA qualifications (28 C.F.R. 115.17)
- 12-month initial probationary period
Source:[personnel.ky.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply for a posted Probation and Parole Officer I vacancy through the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet
- Background check and drug screen
- Hire, then complete 40 hours of new employee orientation
- Complete the 5-week Probation & Parole Pre-Service Academy and supervised on-the-job training
Source:[personnel.ky.gov]
Academy
5 weeks. DOC Division of Corrections Training: Probation & Parole Pre-Service Academy, 200 hours of instructor-led training over 5 weeks (includes firearms), plus 40 hours of orientation and a minimum 40-hour structured on-the-job training program.[corrections.ky.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) - Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) Hazardous, Tier 3 Hybrid Cash Balance Plan
- Benefit formula: Cash balance: member contributes 8% of creditable compensation (hazardous) plus a 7.5% employer pay credit, credited with 4% guaranteed base interest plus upside-sharing interest; converted to a monthly life annuity at retirement
- When you can retire: Hazardous Tier 3: 25 years of service credit at any age, or age 60 with at least 60 months of service credit
- Social Security: yes, you also pay in
KRS 61.592 names probation and parole officers as hazardous-duty positions in KERS. Tier 3 covers members whose participation began on or after January 1, 2014. Plan details as recorded for KERS Hazardous Tier 3 from the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet employee handbook.
Source:[apps.legislature.ky.gov]