How to become a probation and parole officer in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), Field Operations Administration hires state probation and parole officers under the title Parole/Probation Officer (position title Parole Probation Officer-E, levels 9 to P11). New probation and parole officers start at $55,474 a year, rising to $88,254.
Pay
| Starting salary | $55,474 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $88,254 |
| Scale effective | 2026-10-20 |
State of Michigan posting for Parole Probation Officer-E (9-P11), opened 2026-10-20: $26.67 - $42.43 hourly, $55,473.60 - $88,254.40 annually as printed. Range spans the 9 (entry) through P11 (experienced) flex levels; the 10 requires 1 year and the P11 2 years of PPO-equivalent experience. UAW bargaining unit; pay schedule W22-012 per the job specification.
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Pay for this work across Michigan
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Michigan, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,190 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $55,900 |
| Median pay | $79,760 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $83,180 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, correctional administration, criminology, psychology, social work, counseling and guidance, child development, sociology, school social work, social work administration, education psychology, family relations, human services, or theology. Alternate for the 9 level: bachelor's degree in any major plus one year of Department of Corrections experience; or high school plus one year as an Assistant Resident Unit Supervisor 11 or Corrections Shift Supervisor 11, or two years in one of the listed E10 corrections classes, or three years as a Corrections Medical Officer E9 or Corrections Officer E9.
- Valid driver's license and the availability of an automobile for business
- MDOC may screen out applicants convicted of a felony (Public Act 191 of 2017); applicants convicted of a misdemeanor or felony are ineligible until any sentence, including parole or probation, is completed
- DART (drug/alcohol test designated) position
Source:[michigan.gov]
Hiring process
- Apply to a posted Parole Probation Officer-E (9-P11) vacancy on the State of Michigan job site
- Complete supplemental questions (incl. conflict-of-interest disclosure)
- Hire, then complete Non-Custody New Employee Training (NCNET) and in-office training
Source:[governmentjobs.com]
Academy
Length not published. New MDOC hires complete Non-Custody New Employee Training (NCNET): either 40 or 80 hours of initial in-person training based on level of offender contact and job classification, plus additional online training.[governmentjobs.com]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: State of Michigan Defined Contribution (DC) Plan (401(k)), State Employees' Retirement System
- Benefit formula: Defined contribution (no pension formula): the state contributes 4% of pay to a 401(k) and matches up to 5% more; employee contributions vest immediately, state contributions fully vest after 4 years
Source:[governmentjobs.com]