The word “bailiff” originated with the Normans in 1066, and referred to an officer who had the responsibility of carrying out a court’s decisions. Today, in the United States, bailiffs are trained law enforcement officers who provide a variety of services to the court, including but not limited to process serving, providing security when prisoners are transported, providing security and maintaining order in a courtroom, screening persons entering a courthouse, and debt collection. They facilitate procedure in the courtroom, announcing when the judge is entering. They may also assist with evacuation of a courtroom during emergencies.
The bailiff has a highly responsible job, both within the courthouse and outside of it. If you would like to learn more about becoming a bailiff, keep reading.

Job Duties of a Bailiff
Depending upon the level of government and courthouse in which a bailiff works, their duties may vary. Generally, however, most bailiffs have the following responsibilities:
- Escorting prisoners to and from the courthouse
- Maintaining custody of prisoners during court proceedings
- Providing security in a courthouse by patrolling its exterior and interior
- Escorting judges and other court employees in the courthouse
- Enforcing rules of behavior in a courtroom
- Maintaining order in a courtroom during trial
- Guarding the jury from outside contact
- Guarding the lodging of a sequestered jury
- Screen persons entering a courthouse through magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices
- Collect and retain unauthorized firearms and contraband from those entering courthouse
- Announce the entrance of a judge to the courtroom
- Stop people from entering the courtroom while the judge is giving the jury charges
- Screen, control and handle evidence and exhibits during court proceedings
Education and Training for Bailiffs
Most bailiff position require a high school diploma and graduation from a certified or accredited police training academy. Some will also require one year of law enforcement experience working as a police officer or correctional officer.
Knowledge and Skills a Bailiff Should Have
Bailiffs should possess the following knowledge and skills:
- Be familiar with courthouse and courtroom security protocols
- Be familiar with the state/federal criminal statutes and laws of arrest (whichever applies to the courthouse in which you are working)
- Be familiar with arrest procedures and techniques
- Have good customer and public service skills
- Communicate information clearly and effectively
- Be able to maintain order and enforce rules
- Be able to use defensive and offensive tactics to subdue disruptive or disorderly individuals
- Know how to use firearms, pepper spray and handcuffs
- Recognize emergency situations and be able to administer first aid and CPR when necessary
Qualifying for a Bailiff Job
In order to work as a Bailiff, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 18 years old (21 in some jurisdictions)
- Have a high school diploma
- Have graduated from a certified/accredited police training academy
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be able to legally possess a firearm (no felony record)
Salaries for Bailiffs Nationwide and Statewide
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that bailiffs earn a mean annual wage of $52,340 as o May 2021. They note the following average salaries for bailiffs by state:
State Salaries for Bailiffs
STATE | EMPLOYMENTLEVEL | ANNUAL MEDIAN WAGE | ANNUAL 75THPERCENTILE | ANNUAL 90THPERCENTILE |
AL | 90 | 34750 | 39160 | 50280 |
AK | 70 | 78330 | 81410 | 99630 |
AZ | 200 | 39160 | 46590 | 47020 |
CA | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | 60450 | 129980 | 129980 |
CO | 110 | 59860 | 76080 | 76080 |
CT | 40 | 99820 | 100870 | 105840 |
DE | 100 | 32650 | 34790 | 36070 |
DC | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
FL | 830 | 49790 | 59280 | 63290 |
GA | 690 | 24550 | 39160 | 39490 |
HI | 50 | 48320 | 48320 | 61600 |
ID | 90 | 39160 | 47830 | 58910 |
IL | 340 | 50040 | 70440 | 100050 |
IN | 480 | 39800 | 47430 | 50280 |
IA | 60 | 50160 | 59280 | 63250 |
KS | 370 | 54870 | 59050 | 61130 |
KY | 460 | 24000 | 30660 | 37100 |
LA | 290 | 39710 | 55360 | 59280 |
ME | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | 76610 | 81350 | 81380 |
MD | 510 | 48320 | 48860 | 51230 |
MA | 980 | 78330 | 78710 | 99820 |
MI | 770 | 47700 | 50280 | 50280 |
MN | 90 | 47020 | 63160 | 75210 |
MS | 160 | 28790 | 39470 | 58740 |
MO | 230 | 36880 | 46590 | 48440 |
MT | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
NE | 70 | 59390 | 61230 | 76080 |
NV | 210 | 59280 | 75210 | 76750 |
NH | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | 30920 | 39160 | 49620 |
NJ | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
NM | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
NY | 3960 | 78330 | 78330 | 78330 |
NC | 180 | 36880 | 47020 | 50160 |
ND | 210 | 27560 | 27560 | 49600 |
OH | 1710 | 46970 | 59860 | 75210 |
OK | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
OR | 70 | 63530 | 63800 | 63800 |
PA | 610 | 46970 | 46970 | 51230 |
PR | 940 | 29570 | 37440 | 37440 |
RI | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
SC | 210 | 29260 | 31860 | 39490 |
SD | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
TN | 390 | 38890 | 46590 | 50320 |
TX | 340 | 59860 | 60520 | 76560 |
UT | 30 | 47020 | 59390 | 64110 |
VT | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
VA | 450 | 47480 | 59280 | 75210 |
WA | 190 | 63970 | 80130 | 82840 |
WV | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
WI | 300 | 29260 | 37090 | 47480 |
WY | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE | DATA NOT AVAILABLE |
*Salary data circa May 2021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Jobs for Bailiffs
A recent perusal of the online classifieds found the following job openings for bailiffs as of May 2022:
- Bailiff for Judge Richard A. Frye, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Columbus, OH
- Salary: $69,806/year
- Bailiff, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Miami, FL
- Salary: $33,899/year
- Deputy Bailiff, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Leesburg, VA
- Salary: $53,500 to $70,430/year
- District Court Bailiff, Scotts Bluff County, Gering, NE
- Salary: $34,700 to $43,900/year
- Court Bailiff, City of Chamblee, Chamblee, GA
- Salary: $32,100 to $40,700/year
- Bailiff, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala, FL
- Salary: $44,566/year
- Entry-Level Bailiff, City of Eugene, OR
- Salary: $53,310 to $67,954/year
- Municipal Court Bailiff, City of Midland, TX
- Salary: $53,681/year