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 $56,600 per year, ranking in the top 58% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.9% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. 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 $56,600. That puts bailiffs at #475 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 -1.9%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 18K positions in 2024 to 17K 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 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 Security Workers
  $55,940 median
• Private Detectives and Investigators
  $51,220 median
• Parking Enforcement Workers
  $46,730 median
• Animal Control Workers
  $45,660 median
• Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators
  $43,370 median
• Protective Service Workers, All Other
  $42,540 median

Common questions parents ask about bailiffs