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.
Top Paying States and Industries for Correctional Officers. States with larger prison populations and more robust economies tend to pay much higher salaries. The following states paid the highest average annual salaries for correctional officers in 2011: New Jersey â $69,310; California â $66,930; New York â $61,140; Massachusetts â $60,700