How much does a first-line supervisor of police and detectives make?
The median first-line supervisor of police and detectives in the United States earns $106,040 per year, about $50.98 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of police and detectives earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-1012.
First-line supervisor of police and detectives salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of police and detectives spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $63,350 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $165,110. The average (mean) wage of $112,190 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,350 | $30.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $81,860 | $39.35 | |
| Median (50th) | $106,040 | $50.98 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $132,620 | $63.76 | |
| 90th percentile | $165,110 | $79.38 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of police and detectives (SOC 33-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
First-line supervisor of police and detectives salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of police and detectives earn the most in California at $163,960 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $59,860. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $163,960 | 13,200 |
| New Jersey | $142,990 | 7,650 |
| Hawaii | $140,590 | 700 |
| Alaska | $137,320 | 320 |
| Washington | $136,280 | 2,750 |
| Illinois | $135,080 | 4,900 |
| District of Columbia | $134,760 | 1,230 |
| Nevada | $132,100 | 1,300 |
| Delaware | $131,080 | 410 |
| Colorado | $126,810 | 2,790 |
| New York | $124,080 | 12,750 |
| Oregon | $122,130 | 1,470 |
| Maryland | $120,700 | 6,700 |
| Minnesota | $118,750 | 2,870 |
| Texas | $111,000 | 5,540 |
| Utah | $110,500 | 1,360 |
| Connecticut | $109,360 | 2,240 |
| Nebraska | $106,100 | 730 |
| Arizona | $104,850 | 2,790 |
| Massachusetts | $104,320 | 5,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $102,400 | 5,690 |
| Virginia | $101,230 | 3,750 |
| Florida | $100,880 | 9,900 |
| New Hampshire | $100,060 | 940 |
| Vermont | $99,280 | 210 |
| Iowa | $98,840 | 1,370 |
| Ohio | $98,380 | 5,170 |
| North Dakota | $98,300 | 440 |
| Michigan | $98,140 | 3,290 |
| Rhode Island | $97,690 | 820 |
| Wisconsin | $97,120 | 2,080 |
| Idaho | $94,920 | 930 |
| Missouri | $94,440 | 3,490 |
| Maine | $92,350 | 440 |
| New Mexico | $92,200 | 1,320 |
| Wyoming | $91,400 | 430 |
| North Carolina | $91,100 | 4,820 |
| Montana | $89,380 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $87,810 | 190 |
| Kansas | $82,950 | 2,330 |
| Oklahoma | $82,830 | 2,420 |
| Indiana | $81,540 | 1,700 |
| Kentucky | $80,390 | 1,600 |
| Georgia | $80,120 | 7,910 |
| Alabama | $75,970 | 1,900 |
| Tennessee | $74,770 | 4,430 |
| West Virginia | $74,280 | 490 |
| South Carolina | $73,700 | 1,560 |
| Louisiana | $70,470 | 3,120 |
| Arkansas | $62,290 | 2,100 |
| Mississippi | $59,860 | 2,060 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of police and detectives (SOC 33-1012), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for first-line supervisors of police and detectives
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of police and detectives to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 160,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 165,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,600 openings a year for first-line supervisors of police and detectives. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a first-line supervisor of police and detectives
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of police and detectives is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a first-line supervisor of police and detectives earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $163,960) and the lowest (Mississippi, $59,860) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 154,610 people work as first-line supervisors of police and detectives in the United States. At $106,040 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of police and detectives salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of police and detectives make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of police and detectives is $50.98. The middle half of first-line supervisors of police and detectives earn between $39.35 and $63.76 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of police and detectives salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of police and detectives earn more than $165,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of police and detectives make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of police and detectives is $106,040. The average (mean) wage of $112,190 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a first-line supervisor of police and detectives a well paid job?
At $106,040 a year, a first-line supervisor of police and detectives earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 154,610 people work as first-line supervisors of police and detectives in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of police and detectives the most?
California has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of police and detectives at $163,960 a year. New Jersey ($142,990) and Hawaii ($140,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a first-line supervisor of police and detectives a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of police and detectives is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of police and detectives?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of police and detectives as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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