Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in U.S. is $76,290/year ($36.68/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $115K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $76K get you in U.S.?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K.Top earners bring in $115K or more - a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $115K | +51% | 65,170 |
| Washington | $103K | +35% | 8,370 |
| Illinois | $102K | +33% | 29,790 |
| Alaska | $100K | +31% | 1,160 |
| New York | $93K | +22% | 54,360 |
| Hawaii | $89K | +17% | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $89K | +17% | 21,620 |
| District of Columbia | $88K | +16% | 4,830 |
| Oregon | $88K | +16% | 4,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $86K | +13% | 24,280 |
| Minnesota | $83K | +9% | 8,920 |
| Delaware | $83K | +9% | 1,790 |
| Connecticut | $83K | +9% | 6,500 |
| Arizona | $79K | +4% | 12,430 |
| Wisconsin | $79K | +4% | 11,500 |
Track police and sheriff's patrol officers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in U.S.?
The median is $76,290 a year - that works out to about $36.68 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,640, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $115,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,171/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 27.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a police and sheriff's patrol officers salary go in U.S.?
U.S. 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 $76,290 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.