As a probation officer you can obtain a job working for the state or for the federal government (hence federal probation officer). The federal government hires and employs Probation-Parole officers to supervise and manage individuals who fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Court system. Federal Probation officers typically have the job of working primarily with adult offenders. Whereas state probation officers have the option to work with adults, youth or in some counties both.

If you are interested in becoming a juvenile probation officer than you are going to want to find a probation officer job working for the state, because there is a much better chance you’ll be able to find a position working with youths.

When it comes to probation officer salary figures at the state level vs. the federal level you will find that the starting pay is slightly higher at the federal level. The state and federal governments also give various retirement and medical benefits.

It would make sense that the starting pay is slightly higher at the federal level because often federal probation officers are required to have a minimum of 1 year of graduate work. This 1 year of graduate work should be in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field.

Federal probation officers have the ability to be promoted to the GS-13 pay level. At this pay level federal probation officer salary figures ranged from roughly $71k to $93k in 2012.