Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $90,640/year ($43.58/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $122K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $88,386 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,810/month — about 31% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $91K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $91K.Top earners bring in $122K or more - a $67K 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $90,640 a year - that works out to about $43.58 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,820, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $121,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $91K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,781/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.3% 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary is worth about $88,386 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.