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Protective Service · Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree

Bailiffs

Maintain order in courts of law.

Also called: Armed Bailiff, Bailiff, Bailiff Deputy, City Bailiff, County Bailiff, Court Bailiff

Is this career right for me?

Median pay

$56,600

per year, U.S.

Pay range (10th–90th)

$32,140 – $96,770

People employed

17,310

Holland code

RCE

Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising

Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers

Is this career right for you?

These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.

  1. 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
  2. 2.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
  3. 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
  4. 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?

Bailiffs pay by state

Highest-paying states

Connecticut$111,890
Alaska$90,600
Massachusetts$86,730
Washington$78,290
New York$77,540

Lowest-paying states

North Dakota$27,560
Kentucky$30,760
South Carolina$34,280

Annual median pay by state (44 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Bailiffs salary in every state →

What bailiffs do

  1. 01Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
  2. 02Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
  3. 03Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
  4. 04Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
  5. 05Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
  6. 06Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.

Skills that matter most

  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning

Knowledge

  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • English Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Psychology

Work styles that stand out

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cautiousness
  • Self-Control
  • Stress Tolerance

Education and first steps

Less than a High School Diploma6%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)40%
Post-Secondary Certificate21%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree33%

Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.

How people get started

  • Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
  • Related work experience: none.
  • On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
  • A certification can help.

Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.

Interest fit (Holland code)

Realistic4.79
Investigative2.16
Artistic1.00
Social3.28
Enterprising4.00
Conventional4.48

O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.

Career changes

Change from bailiffs

See all jobs for former bailiffs →

Change into bailiffs

Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).

Jobs similar to bailiffs →

Majors that lead here

  • Criminal Justice/Police Science

From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.

Free help near you

You can get free career counseling, job search help and, if you qualify, help paying for training through American Job Centers, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Find an American Job CenterFind training programs

Links go to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Keep exploring

Sources. O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0): description, tasks, skills, knowledge, work styles, education, interests and work context. Pay and employment: BLS OEWS May 2025 (national and state). Majors: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Data Sources & Licenses