The Idaho LAUNCH program is helping to fill critical first responder roles. Idaho LAUNCH is a one-time grant that encourages Idaho residents to study and prepare for in-demand jobs. One such career category is correctional officers and jailers (Standard Occupational Classification of 33-3012). Wages for this career path have increased steadily in recent years and employment has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
From 2018 to 2023, the average wage for correctional officers and jailers increased from $19.09 to $24.82 per hour. Employment numbers have also increased from their recent 2022 low of 1,530 to approximately 1,800 in 2023. LAUNCH can help fill these critical openings to keep employment and wages on the rise.
If you are interested in this career path, some programs that accept LAUNCH grants are the Sociology: Criminology online program through Idaho State University or the Law Enforcement Detention Academy Basic Technical Certification program through North Idaho College.
You can find more information about LAUNCH employment and wages here: lmi.idaho.gov/data-tools/occupations-in-demand/.
Amanda Rea, senior research analyst
Idaho Department of Labor
208-696-2102
This Idaho Department of Labor project is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY24 as part of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Cooperative Agreement award totaling $628,982.