Police Officer Salary
Police officers protect communities by enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, investigating crimes, and maintaining public safety through patrol and community engagement.
Police Officer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level police officers earn around $42,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $66,000. Senior-level police officers can earn $98,000 or more.
Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for police officers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $40,400, while the top 10% earn $106,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,200 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $65,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 |
Police Officer Salary by State
Police Officer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $111,843, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $54,606.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $111,843 | Details → |
| #2 California | $90,790 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $88,817 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $81,580 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $80,264 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $75,659 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $75,659 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $73,685 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $72,369 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $72,369 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $69,080 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $69,080 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $69,080 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $68,422 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $66,448 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $66,448 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $64,474 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $64,474 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $63,816 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $63,816 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $63,816 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $63,816 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $63,158 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $62,501 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $62,501 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $61,843 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $61,185 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $61,185 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $60,527 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $60,527 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $60,527 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $60,527 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $59,869 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $59,211 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $59,211 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $59,211 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $59,211 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $59,211 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $58,553 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $58,553 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $58,553 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $57,895 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $57,895 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $57,237 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $57,237 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $57,237 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $56,579 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $55,264 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $55,264 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $54,606 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Patrol assigned areas to maintain public safety
- ● Respond to emergency calls and incidents
- ● Investigate crimes and collect evidence
- ● Enforce traffic and criminal laws
- ● Prepare reports and testify in court
Top Skills
Education Required
High school diploma
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 3% growth over the next decade