You get a masters degree after you get a job in your chosen field, otherwise, you may price yourself out of the market. Employers who require degrees can hire entry level employees with a bachelors for less money, if they pay a bonus for higher degrees. airbob61@verizon.net Â· 8 years ago.
As of 2011, the highest-paying state for corrections officers was New Jersey, where the average salary was $69,840 a year. California ranked second at $66,540, followed by Massachusetts at $57,450, New York at $56,900 and Alaska at $55,380.
The third-largest employer of correctional officers was what the BLS called facilities support services. There were 22,870 officers in this industry, which provides operational assistance at work sites, and they earned an average wage of $35,290. The starting salary likely fell between $22,770 and $26,920.Finally, the BLS reported 880 corrections officers worked for psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. These guards averaged $48,820 a year, with the starting salary likely $30,320 to $38,880.he second largest number of correctional officers worked on the local government level, at county or municipal jails. These 159,250 guards averaged $42,020 a year, with the starting wage likely between $24,870 and $30,840 annually.