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Salary and benefits

$106,109
while in the Academy
Get paid to learn and develop your skills in a 16-week Adult Correctional Academy training program.
$137,800
when appointed as Correctional Deputy
After Academy graduation, Cadets are eligible to be sworn in as a Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy and undergo a training program.

Includes various premium pays.
$144,600
6 months after appointment
A 5% salary increase is given for satisfactory job performance six months after appointment as a Correctional Deputy at Step 1.

Includes various premium pays.
$167,118
Maximum salary at step 5
There are five steps in the salary range for the Correctional Deputy. A 5% salary increase is given annually for satisfactory job performance.

Includes various premium pays.

Compressed work schedule

A compressed work schedule is available for many assignment units. Deputies who work on compressed schedules work the same number of hours but can have more consecutive days off, by working longer days. Depending on assignment, available schedules include three 12-hour days, (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) or a four 10-hour day schedule (Tuesday through Friday).

Health and dental plans

Excellent health and dental plans are available for County of Santa Clara employees and their eligible family members/domestic partners. Your share of costs for medical coverage are based on the plan you choose and the family members you decide to cover.    

The County pays the full cost of the dental and vision insurance for fulltime coded employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid leaves

Newly hired deputies receive 12 paid holidays and 8 days (64 hours) of sick leave annually. Annual vacation hours are accrued as follows:

Service Years

Annual Rate of Accrual

1st Year

19 days (152 hours)

2nd through 4th year

21 days (168 hours)

5th through 9th year

25 days (200 hours)

10th through 14th year

27 days (216 hours)

15th through 19th year

29 days (232 hours)

20th year and thereafter 

31 days (248 hours)


Pension plan

Eligible County employees participate in the CalPERS defined benefit (DB) pension plan. The plan provides employees with a lifetime pension benefit based on a formula, rather than contributions made to a savings or 457 plan. CalPERS pension benefits are funded through a combination of employer and employee contributions toward the plan.

To calculate your benefit at retirement, CalPERS includes the following in its formula:

  • Years of service

  • Benefit factor – the percentage of pay to which you are entitle to for each year of service.  Currently, the benefit factor for Safety CalPERS Non-Classic Member at age 57 is 2.7%.

  • Final average compensation over a 36-month period.

  • Benefit at retirement = years of service * benefit factor * final average compensation

Retiree medical coverage

The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees based on hire date. Newly hired deputies are eligible for retiree medical coverage with a minimum of 15 years (3,915 days) of continuous service. For most retirees, the County pays for single coverage under the Kaiser retiree-only health plan. Retirees who elect a more expensive medical plan, or who elect to cover an eligible dependent, are responsible for the difference in the cost of the monthly premium. Currently, deputies contribute $15 pre-tax on a biweekly basis toward the Retiree Medical Obligation Unfunded Liability.

Life insurance

The County pays 100% of the cost for full-time coded employees for $25,000 Basic Life Insurance coverage.   To add to your basic life insurance coverage, you may choose to purchase supplemental life insurance.

Deferred compensation

Additional retirement financial planning can be accomplished through regular contributions to a deferred compensation plan. The funds deferred are not subject to State or Federal taxation until withdrawn.

Other benefits

The County offers a full line-up of benefits that provide employees and their families with financial protection and support such as Dependent Care Assistance Program, Employee Childcare Assistance Program, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D).