Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Make?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earn a median annual salary of $76,290 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,640 at the 10th percentile to $115,280 at the 90th percentile — a range of $67,640. The highest-paying state is California at $115,400.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,640 |
| 25th percentile | $58,980 |
| Median (50th) | $76,290 |
| 75th percentile | $97,190 |
| 90th percentile | $115,280 |
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $115,400 |
| Washington | $102,640 |
| Illinois | $101,530 |
| Alaska | $100,300 |
| Colorado | $96,100 |
| New York | $93,050 |
| Hawaii | $89,390 |
| New Jersey | $89,030 |
| District of Columbia | $88,330 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $86,350 |
| Minnesota | $83,310 |
| Delaware | $83,230 |
| Connecticut | $82,820 |
| Arizona | $79,370 |
| Wisconsin | $78,980 |
| Nevada | $78,670 |
| Massachusetts | $78,610 |
| Maryland | $77,440 |
| Rhode Island | $77,280 |
| Utah | $77,210 |
| Ohio | $77,050 |
| Texas | $76,350 |
| Florida | $76,190 |
| North Dakota | $75,530 |
| Michigan | $74,420 |
| Iowa | $73,900 |
| Nebraska | $72,160 |
| Indiana | $71,540 |
| Montana | $69,910 |
| New Hampshire | $67,620 |
| Idaho | $66,150 |
| Maine | $65,330 |
| Wyoming | $65,180 |
| Virginia | $65,110 |
| Vermont | $63,690 |
| New Mexico | $63,340 |
| Missouri | $60,720 |
| South Dakota | $60,300 |
| Kentucky | $60,230 |
| Tennessee | $59,410 |
| North Carolina | $58,030 |
| South Carolina | $58,020 |
| Oklahoma | $57,360 |
| Kansas | $56,610 |
| Georgia | $56,350 |
| West Virginia | $54,570 |
| Alabama | $53,850 |
| Louisiana | $50,580 |
| Arkansas | $48,090 |
| Mississippi | $45,610 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$47,640 – $58,980 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$76,290 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$97,190 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $115,280+ |
How to Earn More as a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $150,650 — $74,360 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($97,190) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerthis career | $76,290 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,420 |
| Coroner | $78,420 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $64,520 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officer | $115,230 |
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SOC: 33-3051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.