Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington is $102,080/year ($49.08/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $132K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $100,069 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 26.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $102K get you in Washington?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for police and sheriff's patrol officers, local pay runs about 34% higher than the U.S. median of $76K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K. Top earners bring in $132K or more, a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $115K | +13% | 4,520 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $105K | +2% | 340 |
| Bellingham | $102K | -0% | 310 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $101K | -1% | 350 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $100K | -2% | 220 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $100K | -2% | 380 |
| Yakima | $98K | -4% | 370 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $98K | -4% | 150 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $96K | -6% | 600 |
| Longview-Kelso | $95K | -7% | 120 |
| Walla Walla | $84K | -18% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
Can a police and sheriff's patrol officer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $102K, rent takes 27.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new police and sheriff's patrol officers typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,747/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 39% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is police and sheriff's patrol officer a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 34% above the national median — $102K here vs. $76K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
Washington pays $102K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s +34%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Washington?
The median is $102,080 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,120, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $132,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,683/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 27.4% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $100,069 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.