Federal Correctional Officer Jobs 2026: BOP Direct Hire at 90+ Prisons Nationwide, $44,902–$98,113

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has opened a year-long Correctional Officer Direct Hire announcement covering more than 90 federal prisons and facilities across the United States and Puerto Rico. The official listing shows a salary range of $44,902 to $98,113 per year and a recruitment incentive of up to $49,056. It’s open to all U.S. citizens from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, and applications are reviewed and referred on a rolling basis, so applying early can pay off.

If you’re looking for a stable federal job with law enforcement retirement, no degree requirement at the entry levels, and openings in dozens of states, this is one of the most accessible federal postings of 2026.

Job Snapshot

• Position: Correctional Officer, Recruitment Incentive, Direct Hire (series 0007)
• Agency: Federal Bureau of Prisons (U.S. Department of Justice)
• Locations: More than 90 BOP institutions in 36 states and Puerto Rico
• Salary: $44,902 to $98,113 per year (2026 special rates)
• Grades: GL-4 to GL-8 (GL-4 applications are not being evaluated right now)
• Schedule: Full-time, permanent
• Who can apply: U.S. citizens (the public) and career transition (CTAP/ICTAP) candidates
• Announcement number: DHA-27-0001 (control number 887123000)
• Open period: October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027

View the official BOP Correctional Officer announcement and apply on USAJOBS →

Where Are the Jobs?

The announcement lists BOP institutions in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. A few examples:

• California: USP Atwater, FCC Lompoc, MDC Los Angeles, MCC San Diego, FCC Victorville
• Texas: FCI Bastrop, FCC Beaumont, FDC Houston, FMC Fort Worth, FCI Three Rivers
• Florida: FCC Coleman, FCI Miami, FDC Miami, FCI Tallahassee
• Pennsylvania: FCC Allenwood, FCI Loretto, FDC Philadelphia, USP Canaan
• New York: MDC Brooklyn, FCI Otisville, FCI Ray Brook
• Other examples: MCC Chicago (IL), FCC Terre Haute (IN), FCC Butner (NC), FCC Hazelton (WV), FDC SeaTac (WA), FDC Honolulu (HI)

You must choose at least one preferred duty location when you apply. BOP says preferences are not guaranteed, and you may get an offer for a location outside your choices.

Key Duties

According to the announcement, a federal Correctional Officer:

• Provides supervision, care and correctional treatment of inmates
• Maintains institution security and contributes to inmates’ health and welfare
• Enforces the rules that govern facility security, inmate accountability and inmate conduct
• May be authorized to carry firearms and to use physical force, including deadly force, to maintain control
• May work long and irregular hours, unusual shifts, Sundays, holidays and unexpected overtime during emergencies or staffing shortages

Qualifications and Eligibility

Basic requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration, if it applies to you.
• Age: The standard maximum entry age is 37, but the announcement says applicants can be considered up to age 39. Prior federal law enforcement coverage (proved with an SF-50) or veterans’ preference may exempt you.
• Medical and fitness: The work is physically demanding, so you must be in sound health and physically fit.
• Screening: You must pass a pre-employment interview, a panel interview, urinalysis, a physical, a background investigation, an NCIC check and a credit check.

Qualifying by grade level (summary)

• GL-5: A full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree in any field, or 3 years of full-time general experience (1 year equivalent to GL-4) showing skills like dealing with people, leading others and staying calm under stress.
• GL-6: 9 semester hours of graduate education in criminal justice, social science or a related field, or 1 year of specialized experience as, for example, a police officer, detention officer, deputy sheriff or park ranger.
• GL-7: One full year of related graduate education, or 1 year of specialized correctional experience (correctional officer, jailer, detention officer, military corrections).
• GL-8: 1 year of specialized experience in a correctional facility involving the care, custody and control of inmates. Education can’t substitute at this level.

The general experience doesn’t have to come from corrections. BOP lists military service, skilled trades and mining, security work, high-volume customer service, youth supervision, emergency services, transportation and logistics, teaching, social casework, management and sales as examples.

Salary, Incentives and Benefits

The official range is $44,902 (GL-4, step 1, Rest of U.S.) up to $98,113 (GL-8, step 10, San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland) under 2026 special pay rates. Your actual pay depends on grade and location.

• Recruitment incentive: 15% to 50% for eligible selectees, up to $49,056
• Retention incentives may be authorized after the recruitment service period.
• Cost-of-living allowance: 8.64% at FDC Honolulu and 2.49% at MDC Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
• Federal benefits: health insurance, retirement, the Thrift Savings Plan, paid leave and federal holidays

New officers must complete the three-week “Introduction to Correctional Techniques” course in Glynco, Georgia.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Create or sign in to your USAJOBS account.
2. Prepare your resume with job titles, dates, hours worked per week and specific duties that match the qualifications for the grade you’re targeting. Your resume must support your questionnaire answers.
3. Gather documents: transcripts if you’re qualifying on education, a DD-214 or SF-15 for veterans, and SF-50s if you have prior federal law enforcement service.
4. Click “Apply” on the official announcement, attach your documents and continue to the online application.
5. Choose at least one preferred duty location, then complete and submit the questionnaire.
6. Watch for contact from the Hiring Operations Team. If you’re referred, you must contact them to schedule your interview or you may lose consideration.

Staffing Operations Section: 972-352-4200.

Closing Date

The announcement closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on September 30, 2027. Because applications are reviewed and referred on an ongoing basis, you don’t need to wait for the closing date. If you want to be considered in the next cycle, you’ll have to reapply to the new announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree to become a federal correctional officer?

No. You can qualify with general work experience, and many kinds of non-corrections jobs count.

What is the age limit for BOP correctional officers?

This announcement says applicants can be considered up to age 39, with exemptions for qualifying veterans and people with prior federal law enforcement coverage.

Can I pick which prison I work at?

You can list preferences, but final assignments depend on BOP’s staffing needs and funding.

Does veterans’ preference apply?

No. Under Direct Hire Authority, veterans’ preference and category rating don’t apply. Some veterans may still be exempt from the maximum entry age.

How fast is the hiring process?

BOP says it aims to make final offers within 80 days of the closing date and reviews applications continuously while the announcement is open.

Source: Official USAJOBS announcement DHA-27-0001. Always confirm the latest details on the official USAJOBS listing before applying.