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 state that paid prison officers the best was California, with an average pay of $63,230 annually, or $30.40 hourly; followed by New Jersey, at a mean $62,240 annually, or $29.92 hourly; and Massachusetts, at an average $54,850 annually, or $26.37 hourly.