Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Colorado is $97,350/year ($46.81/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in Colorado?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $109K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary by metro in Colorado
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $102K | +5% | 4,990 |
| Boulder | $100K | +3% | 370 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $97K | -1% | 600 |
| Greeley | $97K | -1% | 460 |
| Grand Junction | $94K | -4% | 240 |
| Colorado Springs | $92K | -6% | 1,240 |
| Pueblo | $76K | -22% | 270 |
Compare to other states
Track police and sheriff's patrol officers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a police and sheriff's patrol officer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 33.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new police and sheriff's patrol officers typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,920/month.
Is police and sheriff's patrol officer a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 28% above the national median — $97K here vs. $76K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
Colorado pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s +28%.
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Colorado?
The median is $97,350 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,340, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $109,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,049/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 33.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a police and sheriff's patrol officers salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary is worth about $97,350 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do police and sheriff's patrol officers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.