Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.
SOC: 21-1092.00
Common Job Titles
Correctional Counselor
Juvenile Probation Officer
Parole Officer (PO)
Probation Officer
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
KnowledgeFormulate comprehensive rehabilitation plans incorporating conditional release, education, and employment stipulations for law offenders in custody, on probation, or parole, integrating therapy and counseling principles.
Advanced
KnowledgeEvaluate offender risk assessments and compliance with legal and treatment requirements using knowledge of law, psychology, and public safety standards to inform recommendations.
Proficient
KnowledgeAssess case information from multiple sources including court records, interviews, and monitoring data to determine compliance with probation or parole conditions and identify intervention needs.
Proficient
KnowledgeAnalyze behavioral patterns and risk factors applying knowledge of sociology, psychology, and therapy to support decision-making about offender supervision levels.
Proficient
MindsetBalance public safety concerns with offender rehabilitation needs when making recommendations to the court or parole board under regulatory and ethical guidelines.
Proficient
MindsetIntegrate social perceptiveness and active listening skills with service orientation when interacting with offenders, families, and interdisciplinary treatment teams to build rapport and trust.
Proficient
KnowledgeCompose detailed case reports, progress evaluations, and violation documentation using case management software and word processing tools to maintain accurate records for legal proceedings.
Proficient
KnowledgeCoordinate supervision activities and service referrals across multiple cases managing caseloads independently while prioritizing high-risk offenders and compliance monitoring.
Proficient
MindsetAdvocate for offender access to community resources including employment, education, and treatment services while maintaining accountability standards and public safety priorities.
Proficient
KnowledgeJudge appropriate interventions and sanctions for probation or parole violations exercising critical thinking and judgment to balance corrective action with rehabilitative goals.
Proficient
MindsetEngage law offenders in supportive, goal-oriented relationships to foster accountability, behavioral change, and successful community reintegration.
Developing
Hands-onOperate electronic monitoring equipment, drug testing kits, and breathalyzers following established protocols to verify offender compliance with supervision conditions.
Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
86,820
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $45,390. 25th percentile: U.S. $52,580. 50th percentile: U.S. $64,520. 75th percentile: U.S. $84,030. 90th percentile: U.S. $106,290. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$45,390
10% of workers earn the following or more
$106,290
Workers on average earn
$71,530
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Law and Government4.4/5
Public Safety and Security4.3/5
English Language4.1/5
Psychology4.1/5
Therapy and Counseling4.0/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
