Salary guide
Police Officer Salary Guide (2026)
One of the most competitive and well-compensated entry-level civil service titles.
Entry level
$48,000
Typical starting range
National median
$70,000
Most common salary
Most common salary
Experienced (75th %ile)
$95,000
Stronger long-run earnings
Top earners (90th %ile)
$130,000
Upper-end compensation
Top metro departments
BLS code
33-3051
Total jobs
697,000
Hiring outlook
+3% (As fast as average)Overview
Police officers and detectives employed by state and local governments earn a strong median salary, with significant upside in high-cost metropolitan areas. Total compensation — including overtime, shift differential, uniform allowance, and defined-benefit pension — routinely exceeds the base salary figure reported by BLS. Officers in California, New Jersey, and the Pacific Northwest are among the highest-paid in the country.
Career intelligence
Hiring outlook
Steady hiring in large city and county departments, with strong list competition in top-paying metros.
Pension quality
Typically strong defined-benefit pension with earlier retirement eligibility than most office titles.
Overtime potential
High. Overtime, court time, and holiday pay frequently add meaningful compensation.
Competition level
High in major departments where salary, pension, and long-term promotion paths are strongest.
Shift and schedule
Shift-based. Nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating schedules are common.
Highest-paying states
Annual median salary for Police Officers by state. Sort the list or compare two states side by side.
Lowest-paying states
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | $36,000 |
| West Virginia | $40,000 |
| Arkansas | $42,000 |
| South Dakota | $44,000 |
| Oklahoma | $46,000 |
Benefits and total compensation
Base salary is only part of the picture. Government employers often add 30–50% in benefits value on top of base pay through pensions, overtime structures, healthcare, and longevity-based progression.
Defined-benefit pension (typically 50–75% of salary after 20–25 years)
Health, dental, and vision insurance for officer and dependents
Overtime and holiday pay (often adds 15–30% to base)
Uniform and equipment allowance
Paid academy training
Longevity pay increases every 2–5 years
What affects your pay
Rank — sergeants, lieutenants, and captains earn significantly more than patrol officers
Jurisdiction size — large city departments typically pay more than rural agencies
Years of service — step increases over a 5–10 year scale are common
Assignment — detectives, K-9, and specialized units often carry pay differentials
Overtime — voluntary and mandatory overtime can add $10,000–$30,000 annually
Education incentive — many departments add 5–10% for college degrees
Practice before applying
See how the Police Officer exam path actually works
Use the study guide to understand the testing format, then jump into practice before you apply. It is the fastest way to compare pay upside with the exam track behind it.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2023–2024. Figures represent median annual wages for workers in the listed occupation. Total compensation including benefits, overtime, and pension contributions may differ substantially from base salary. Last reviewed: April 2026.