How to become a probation and parole officer in Texas
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Parole Division hires state probation and parole officers under the title Parole Officer I (District Parole Officer). New probation and parole officers start at $54,860 a year, rising to $60,828. You must be at least 18.
Pay
| Starting salary | $54,860 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $60,828 |
| Scale effective | 2025-09-01 |
TDCJ Parole Officer career ladder: Parole Officer I $4,571.65/month (months 0-12) and $4,595.18 (13-24); officers then move to Parole Officer II, $4,806.90 rising to $5,069.02/month at 121+ months as Parole Officer II. Monthly x 12. Top shown is the Parole Officer II ladder top, not a supervisory (PO III-V) rate. Hazardous duty pay based on years of service is extra.
Source:[tdcj.texas.gov]
Pay for this work across Texas
Federal survey figures for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in Texas, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 8,100 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $46,020 |
| Median pay | $52,880 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $74,290 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: Bachelor's degree from a CHEA-accredited institution (Criminal Justice, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or Sociology preferred). TDCJ's recruiting page now also accepts a minimum of 60 college hours plus two years of work experience in case work, criminal justice, military, or a related field.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or an immigrant with lawful status who is authorized to work in the U.S.
- Valid state driver's license
- Obtain a TLETS policy and procedures training certificate from Texas DPS within six months of employment and keep TLETS access eligibility
- No conviction for any offense involving domestic violence; not on probation; no pending charges or outstanding warrant
- Not on active military duty (terminal leave OK); no dishonorable discharge
- Pass the TDCJ pre-employment drug test
- Adult probation is run by county community supervision and corrections departments (CSCDs); county community supervision officers must complete a certification course and pass a certification exam given by TDCJ-CJAD (https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/definitions/index.html)
Source:[tdcj.texas.gov]
Hiring process
- Submit the TDCJ parole officer application online
- Eligibility screening and pre-employment drug test
- Six-week Parole Officer Training Academy at the TDCJ facility in Austin
- TLETS certification within six months
Source:[tdcj.texas.gov]
Academy
6 weeks. Comprehensive six-week training at the Parole Officer Training Academy, TDCJ facility in Austin.[tdcj.texas.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS), Group 4 cash balance benefit (state employees starting on or after Sept. 1, 2022)
- Benefit formula: Cash balance: member contributes 6% of salary; account earns guaranteed 4% interest plus up to 3% gain share; state matches 150% of the account balance at retirement; lifetime annuity based on the total account
- When you can retire: Vested after 5 years; retire under the Rule of 80 (age + service = 80) or at age 65 with at least 5 years of service
ERS also runs a LECOS supplemental account (2% member contribution, 300% state match, retirement with 20 years of LECO service) for law enforcement and custodial officers; no official source found confirming whether TDCJ parole officers are LECOS-certified.
Source:[ers.texas.gov]