Federal Probation Officer Pay Scale: What to Expect

We’re diving into the world of federal probation officers. We’ll look at their role, duties, and what it takes to be one. We’ll also cover their pay scale, salary, and pay grades. The average salary for a Federal Probation Officer in 2025 is $53,024 a year. Salaries range from $37,000 to $82,000.

Knowing the pay scale is key for federal probation officers. With over 4.4 million people on probation, there’s a big need for skilled officers. This makes their salary and pay grades very important.

Key Takeaways

• The average base salary for a Federal Probation Officer in 2025 is $53,024 per year.
• The salary range for Probation Officers is $37,000 to $82,000.
• Federal probation officers are eligible for bonuses, with an average bonus earned of $2,000 to $27,000.
• The total pay range for Probation Officers, including base salary and bonuses, is $36,000 to $82,000.
• Experience level significantly impacts the federal probation officer pay scale, with experienced officers earning up to $82,000 per year.
• Federal probation officers have access to various benefits, including health and life insurance, the Thrift Savings Plan, and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
• The federal probation officer pay scale is influenced by factors such as job performance, conduct, and character during the one-year probationary period.

Understanding the Federal Probation Officer Role

Exploring the role of federal probation officers is key to understanding the criminal justice system. With over 4.4 million adults on probation in the U.S., the need for skilled officers is high. The federal probation officer job benefits include a competitive salary and chances for career growth.

To become a federal probation officer, you need a bachelor’s degree and at least a year of experience. This experience can be in fields like parole, corrections, or criminal investigations. Their duties include investigating, supervising, and ensuring public safety. The federal probation officer pay range changes based on location and experience, from $38,004 to $86,039 annually.

So, how much do probation officers make? On average, they earn $59,910, with the top 10% making over $94,860. Here are some important facts:

• Average salary for probation officers: $59,910
• Top 10% of probation officers earn more than $94,860
• Starting salary for federal probation officers: $38,004 – $46,767

In summary, federal probation officers play a vital role in keeping communities safe and reducing crime. With good pay and benefits, this career is appealing to those in the criminal justice field.

Federal Probation Officer Pay Scale Structure

Understanding the pay scale for federal probation officers is key. The Court Personnel System (CPS) covers most court employees, including federal probation officers. It has 12 pay bands, each with a developmental and full performance range. To find out probation officer salary information, look at the General Schedule (GS) pay grade system. It bases salaries on experience and qualifications.

The federal probation officer compensation is based on the GS pay grade system. As they gain experience, they get pay increases. The starting salary for federal probation officers varies by pay grade. For example, the average hourly rate for a Federal Probation Officer or Correctional Treatment Specialist is $26.51 (USD) as of 2025.

General Schedule (GS) Pay Grade System

The GS pay grade system has different pay levels, each with its own salary range. The average probation officer salary can be from $41k to $146k (USD) per year. This depends on the pay grade and experience level. Here’s a breakdown of the average hourly pay range:

• Average hourly pay range: $16 – $63 (USD)
• Median hourly rate reported: $26.51 (USD)
• Percentiles for hourly pay:
  • 10th percentile: $15.95 (USD)
  • 90th percentile: $63.47 (USD)

Starting Salary Ranges

The starting salary for federal probation officers varies by pay grade. For example, the minimum salary for CG-01 is $24,596, and the maximum is $38,878. The highest salary grade, CM-00, has a minimum of $131,914 and a maximum of $252,834.

Experience-Based Pay Increases

As federal probation officers gain experience, they get pay increases. The average total compensation for entry-level positions (less than 1 year experience) is $17.00 (USD) based on 6 salary profiles. The decrease in pay with experience level is also important to consider.

Regional Pay Variations and Locality Adjustments

We know that federal probation officer pay grades change a lot based on where you work. Places with a high cost of living, like cities, often pay more. For example, working in Chicago can lead to a salary between $48,859 and $60,628 per year.

Locality pay adjustments can greatly affect how much federal probation officers earn. Here are some examples of locality pay areas and their pay rates:

• Albany-Schenectady, NY: $48,859 – $60,628 per year
• Atlanta-Athens-Clarke County-Sandy Springs, GA-AL: $50,598 – $63,122 per year
• Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI: $53,433 – $66,219 per year

It’s key to think about these regional pay differences when figuring out how much do probation officers make. Knowing about locality pay adjustments helps you plan your career better. It lets you make smart choices for your future as a federal probation officer.

Career Advancement and Salary Growth

As we move up in our careers as federal probation officers, we find many chances for growth and higher pay. The pay for federal probation officers is very competitive. It often goes beyond the CL26 level, reaching CL27 and CL28 levels. The average salary for a Federal Probation Officer is $53,024 per year in 2025. Salaries range from $36,000 to $82,000.

Our federal probation officer compensation depends on our experience and how well we do our job. With more experience and better performance, we can get promoted and earn more. For example, CL27 pay ranges from $55,664 to $71,764 per year. CL28 pay ranges from $66,719 to $86,039 per year. Advanced positions can earn even more, up to $93,638 per year for CL27 and $112,264 per year for CL28.

Here are some key points to consider about our career advancement and salary growth:

• Average base salary: $53,024 per year
• Total pay range: $36,000 to $82,000
• CL27 pay level: $55,664 to $71,764 per year
• CL28 pay level: $66,719 to $86,039 per year

Looking ahead, it’s important to know about probation officer salary information and how it affects our career. With the right experience and performance, we can see big increases in our federal probation officer compensation. This will help us reach our career goals.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Working as a federal probation officer comes with a great benefits package. This includes federal probation officer job benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation. You’ll also get dental and vision insurance, and life insurance.

It’s important to know how much do probation officers make and the federal probation officer pay range. Salaries vary by location, experience, and education. But, the total compensation is very competitive thanks to the benefits.

Here are some key benefits included in the package:

• Health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB)
• Dental and vision insurance through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance (FEDVIP)
• Life insurance through the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)
• Retirement plans, including a pension and 401(k) matching
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave

There are also other perks like student loan forgiveness and chances for professional growth. With such a great benefits package and competitive pay, being a federal probation officer is a rewarding career.

Special Compensation Considerations

Exploring federal probation officer compensation reveals special factors that affect their pay. The government provides many benefits, like generous leave and wellness programs. Overtime, hazard pay, and training bonuses also play a big role in their salaries.

Probation officer salaries vary by role and location. Yet, with a median salary of $59,860, they are well-paid. The compensation package aims to keep the best talent, with benefits like availability pay and locality pay adjustments.

• Overtime pay for extended hours or hazardous duties
• Hazard pay eligibility for high-risk assignments
• Training and certification bonuses for professional development

These special pay considerations make being a probation officer appealing. They show the value of the compensation package. Keeping up with salary information is key to understanding their worth.

Conclusion: Building a Rewarding Career in Federal Probation

The federal probation officer pay scale is key in the criminal justice system. It’s important to know about it if you want to work in federal probation. The salary ranges from $59,371 to $134,317, with great benefits and chances for growth.

Learning about the job, needed skills, and pay helps us choose our career path. The probation officer pay grades and how pay changes by region are important. This info helps us understand the financial side of the job.

Working in federal probation can be tough but also very rewarding. It lets us help the criminal justice system in a big way. With the right skills, hard work, and knowledge of the pay, we can have a fulfilling career in this important field.