Pay Increase Approved by General Assembly

May 14, 2024

Hello, corrections team!

As the 2024 Missouri legislative session winds down, I want to give you an update on the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget, which was finalized by the General Assembly last week and now moves to Governor Mike Parson’s desk to be signed into law.

Good news! The state legislature has approved the 3.2% cost-of-living salary increase for all Missouri state government employees that was proposed by the Governor in January. Once signed into law, this raise will bring the state’s total investment in pay increases for corrections staff since 2017 to $199.3 million.

In the Department of Corrections, this increase raises starting annual salaries to $42,628 ($46,788 with shift differential) for corrections officers, $46,834 for probation and parole officers and $34,999 for office support assistants. These increases go into effect in the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2024.

In addition to the pay plan, the General Assembly has approved funds for new priorities affecting the department, including:

• $7.3 million in increased expense and equipment operating funds for our institutions and the field
• $1.16 million and 18.00 FTE positions for additional investigative resources that help keep dangerous contraband out of our facilities

Proposals for funding a new offender management system and air conditioning expansion were not approved during this legislative session but will be revisited in the future.

We are grateful to Governor Parson and the Missouri General Assembly for their continued support of corrections staff. Our state leaders recognize the value of the important work you do to change lives and keep Missourians safe. Thank you for all you do, and please take care of each other.

 

Trevor Foley
Acting Director