Prison service officers (below principal officer) Pay Data UK — 2025

Prison service officers (below principal officer) roles in the UK earn a median of £41,449 per year, equivalent to £20.23 per hour as of 2025. This represents a 4.7% increase in annual pay compared to the previous year. Pay varies across the UK, ranging from £35,703 to £63,552 per year.

How Pay Varies Across the UK

Each bar shows how many areas of the UK have a median annual pay in that range for Prison service officers (below principal officer) roles. The dashed line marks the national median.

Based on sub-regional area data. Want a precise figure for your area?

About Prison service officers (below principal officer)

Prison service officers (below principal officer) direct, co-ordinate and participate in guarding inmates and maintaining discipline in prisons and other detention centres.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• escorts prisoners to and from cells and supervises them during meals, recreation and visiting periods
• watches for any infringements of regulations and searches prisoners and cells for weapons, drugs and other contraband items
• guards entrances and perimeter walls
• investigates disturbances or any other unusual occurrences
• escorts prisoners transferred from one institution to another
• runs prisoner rehabilitation and support programmes
• provides care and support to prisoners in custody including prevention of self-harm
• trains and supervises prison staff
• reports on prisoners’ conduct as necessary

Entry Routes and Qualifications

There are no formal academic requirements for entry, but candidates must pass a pre-entry test and full medical examination. Basic training is followed by a 12 month probationary period during which further on-the-job training is provided. Background checks are required for entrants, and there are generally nationality restrictions and a lower age limit of 18 years.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.