How to Become a Bailiff
Updated September 29, 2026
Most courthouses don’t require a bachelor’s degree to become a bailiff. Requirements vary by state and agency, but a high school diploma plus academy or on-the-job training is typical, according to the BLS. The national median bailiff salary was $56,600 a year as of May 2025, with pay differing significantly by state.
Every trial needs someone keeping order in the room, and that’s the bailiff’s job. It’s one of the more accessible roles in courthouse security — most agencies don’t require a four-year degree, though the specific training and hiring standards depend on your state and the court you’re applying to. Here’s what the job actually involves and what it pays.
What a Bailiff Actually Does
Bailiffs keep order in the courtroom. That means announcing the judge, swearing in witnesses, and closing court at the end of a session. It also means security: watching for disturbances, screening everyone who enters for weapons, and escorting people in custody in and out of the room. BLS classifies bailiffs as law-enforcement workers, but courtroom-security roles, authority, and employment arrangements vary by court system. Federal courthouse security, for example, is typically handled by deputy U.S. marshals or contracted Court Security Officers rather than court-employed bailiffs.
How to Become a Bailiff
Education: Requirements Vary by State and Agency
No single nationwide path leads to this job. Requirements vary by state and agency, but a high school diploma or equivalent typically clears the entry bar, with academy or on-the-job training common from there, according to the BLS. Some courts prefer candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, covering corrections, courtroom procedure, and state legal process, though a degree isn’t the standard requirement.
In Ohio, the Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) sets training standards for bailiffs and other court-security roles, and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) provides training programs for bailiffs. Requirements for a specific position depend on the appointment, not a single statewide mandate.
The Hiring Process
Hiring standards and disqualifying conditions vary by state, court, and employing agency. Most postings include some form of background check and a physical standard, but the specifics, and what disqualifies an applicant, differ by jurisdiction. Check the specific posting at the court you’re targeting rather than assuming a nationwide standard applies.
Bailiff Salary and Job Outlook
National Pay, May 2025
The median annual wage for bailiffs was $56,600 as of May 2025, according to the BLS. That’s the midpoint: half of bailiffs nationally earn more, half earn less. It sits below the pay for correctional officers and jailers, a related occupation the BLS tracks in the same wage table.
Pay Varies by State
Bailiff wages vary substantially by location and employing government, according to BLS state and local wage data. In New York, the May 2025 median is $77,540. Illinois sits closer to the middle of the national range, at a median of $46,390.
Job Growth Through 2035
Nationally, BLS projects bailiff employment to decline 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, from about 18,000 jobs to 17,700. That’s a modest contraction, distinct from the steeper 7 percent decline projected for the broader “correctional officers and bailiffs” category, which includes far more jobs. Separately, under the 2024-34 ProjectionsCentral cycle, the national average was about 1,800 bailiff openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or transferring out of the role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to become a bailiff?
No. Requirements vary by state and agency, but most bailiffs need a high school diploma or equivalent, with academy or on-the-job training typical, according to the BLS. A criminal justice degree can help in some jurisdictions or with advancement, but it isn’t required everywhere.
How much do bailiffs make?
The national median was $56,600 a year as of May 2025, according to the BLS. Pay varies substantially by state, from around $46,000 in Illinois to over $77,000 in New York.
Is the bailiff job market growing?
No. BLS projections show bailiff employment declining about 2 percent nationally from 2025 to 2035. The broader correctional-officers-and-bailiffs category, which includes far more jobs, is projected to decline faster, at 7 percent.
What disqualifies someone from becoming a bailiff?
Disqualifying conditions and hiring standards vary by state, court, and employing agency. Check the specific job posting for background, fitness, training, and eligibility requirements rather than assuming a nationwide standard.
Key Takeaways
- Requirements vary by state and agency – most bailiffs need a high school diploma or equivalent, with academy or on-the-job training typical, per the BLS.
- Pay depends heavily on location – the May 2025 median ranges from about $46,000 in Illinois to over $77,000 in New York.
- The job market is flat, not booming – BLS projects a 2 percent national decline for bailiffs specifically through 2035.
- Hiring standards differ by court – background checks and physical standards are common, but the specifics and disqualifiers vary by jurisdiction.
If you’re weighing a courthouse career against other law enforcement paths, our guide on how to become a police officer breaks down that training and hiring process side by side.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Bailiffs. National job growth figures for 2025-35 are also from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook; the 1,800 annual-openings figure reflects the separate 2024-34 ProjectionsCentral cycle. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.