Bailiffs: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Bailiffs fall under the Protective Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Bailiffs earn a median salary of $57,050 per year, ranking in the top 54% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -2.2% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do bailiffs earn?

The median annual wage for bailiffs is $57,050. That puts bailiffs at #436 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is bailiffs a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for bailiffs is -2.2%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 19K positions in 2024 to 18K in 2034, a net change of -1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do bailiffs do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working bailiffs, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
2. 2.Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
3. 3.Check courtroom for security and cleanliness and assure availability of sundry supplies, such as notepads, for use by judge, jurors, and attorneys.
4. 4.Stop people from entering courtroom while judge charges jury.
5. 5.Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
6. 6.Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
7. 7.Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
8. 8.Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff's office.

Top skills for bailiffs

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become bailiff?

Many bailiffs enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
  $105,980 median
• Detectives and Criminal Investigators
  $93,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
  $92,430 median
• Transit and Railroad Police
  $82,320 median
• Fire Inspectors and Investigators
  $78,060 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
  $76,310 median

Common questions parents ask about bailiffs