All female guards or keepers of penal institutions in counties of the first class shall be entitled to and shall receive from the county treasurer compensation equal to that received by male guards or keepers at such penal institutions.

All female guards employed in the department of the sheriff in counties of the first class who shall be regularly employed in the care, custody and transportation of female prisoners shall be entitled to and shall receive from the county treasurer compensation equal to that received by court attendants in such counties.