Probation Officer Salary

Probation officers are key members of the criminal justice system who help criminal offenders to avoid further misdeeds. They also help to maintain public safety and ensure that individuals who pose a danger to others are kept within the prison system. They work with both the courts and sentencing judges, as well as standard law enforcement officers and the accused or convicted suspects.

In most court systems, a primary duty of probation officers is to conduct thorough investigations of persons accused of fairly serious crimes. In this investigatory stage, a probation officer must determine what factors in the person's background, education, and environment may have led to the crime in question, and then make recommendations to the court which may be taken into account during sentencing.

In many situations, particularly with non-violent offenders, the court may issue a sentence that includes probation. During that time, the probation officer meets regularly with the offender to ensure that he/she is fulfilling the terms of their probation sentence; typical terms can involve restrictions to travel, rights to bear arms, associations with individuals, alcohol consumption, etc. Probation officers also work with local law enforcement and conduct their own investigations to verify information offered by offenders during probation meetings. During an individual's probation, the officer may make recommendations for relaxing or increasing restrictions for the offender, and they also provide the court with useful information and evidence in the event of a probation violation.

A bachelor's degree in sociology, criminal justice, or a related field is generally required for this position, and most officers also go through rigorous and directed training involving probation laws and regulations within their jurisdiction before being granted certification. Probation officers typically work irregular hours due to the investigatory nature of the work and the need for courtroom appearances and meetings with assigned offenders. (Copyright 2017 PayScale.com)

For those looking to make money, Probation Officers in Los Angeles enjoy an exceptional pay rate, 47 percent above the national average. Probation Officers can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like Pittsburgh (+35 percent), Dallas (+24 percent), Phoenix (+22 percent), and Philadelphia (+15 percent). Probation Officers in St. Louis report much lower salaries than the rest of the country — 22 percent below the national average — proving that residence is a major factor in overall pay. Below-median salaries also turn up in Austin and Raleigh (14 percent lower and 9 percent lower, respectively).