How much does a police officer make?
The median police officer in the United States earns $76,210 per year, about $36.64 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all police officers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-3051.
Police officer salary range
Pay for police officers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,510 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $115,120. The average (mean) wage of $79,200 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 | $47,510 | $22.84 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,290 | $28.50 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,210 | $36.64 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $97,600 | $46.93 | |
| 90th percentile | $115,120 | $55.35 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for police and sheriff's patrol officers (SOC 33-3051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Police officer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Police officers earn the most in California at $118,880 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $46,140. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $118,880 | 65,940 |
| Washington | $102,080 | 9,160 |
| Illinois | $100,520 | 29,180 |
| Alaska | $99,130 | 1,260 |
| Colorado | $97,350 | 9,610 |
| Delaware | $92,970 | 1,800 |
| New York | $92,790 | 53,470 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 | 21,780 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 | 4,720 |
| Oregon | $88,140 | 5,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,470 | 26,510 |
| Hawaii | $83,820 | 2,420 |
| Minnesota | $83,360 | 9,160 |
| Connecticut | $82,170 | 6,500 |
| Massachusetts | $78,940 | 17,040 |
| Arizona | $78,880 | 12,010 |
| Nevada | $78,140 | 5,720 |
| Wisconsin | $78,090 | 12,320 |
| Maryland | $77,970 | 9,720 |
| Utah | $77,310 | 5,500 |
| Rhode Island | $77,230 | 1,940 |
| Ohio | $77,020 | 23,430 |
| Texas | $75,900 | 63,100 |
| Nebraska | $74,620 | 3,490 |
| North Dakota | $74,500 | 1,630 |
| Florida | $74,470 | 43,630 |
| Iowa | $74,470 | 5,130 |
| Michigan | $73,730 | 16,750 |
| Indiana | $73,370 | 12,980 |
| New Hampshire | $71,640 | 2,460 |
| Montana | $70,050 | 2,160 |
| New Mexico | $69,180 | 4,580 |
| Vermont | $68,910 | 1,020 |
| Maine | $67,050 | 2,120 |
| Idaho | $66,990 | 2,810 |
| Wyoming | $66,140 | 1,310 |
| Virginia | $65,870 | 19,970 |
| South Dakota | $60,740 | 2,000 |
| Kentucky | $60,490 | 7,890 |
| Oklahoma | $59,700 | 9,660 |
| Missouri | $59,460 | 13,570 |
| North Carolina | $59,300 | 22,370 |
| Tennessee | $59,280 | 15,630 |
| Kansas | $59,230 | 6,130 |
| Georgia | $58,120 | 22,170 |
| South Carolina | $58,070 | 12,930 |
| West Virginia | $56,960 | 2,900 |
| Alabama | $51,270 | 11,710 |
| Louisiana | $48,380 | 12,400 |
| Arkansas | $47,670 | 5,710 |
| Mississippi | $46,140 | 8,070 |
State median wages for police and sheriff's patrol officers (SOC 33-3051), 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 police officers
The BLS projects employment of police officers to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 693,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 717,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 51,500 openings a year for police officers. 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 police officer
The typical entry-level education for police officers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. 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 police officer 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, $118,880) and the lowest (Mississippi, $46,140) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 670,520 people work as police officers in the United States. At $76,210 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Police officer salary FAQ
How much does a police officer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a police officer is $36.64. The middle half of police officers earn between $28.50 and $46.93 per hour.
What is the highest police officer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of police officers earn more than $115,120 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a police officer make a year?
The median annual salary for a police officer is $76,210. The average (mean) wage of $79,200 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 police officer a well paid job?
At $76,210 a year, a police officer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 670,520 people work as police officers in the United States.
Which state pays police officers the most?
California has the highest median salary for police officers at $118,880 a year. Washington ($102,080) and Illinois ($100,520) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a police officer a good career?
Employment of police officers is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 51,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a police officer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for police officers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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