Police Officer Salary in 2026
Police officers protect communities by enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, and conducting investigations. They patrol areas, make arrests, and maintain public safety.
Median Salary
$76,210
$6,351/mo
Entry Level
$55,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$100,800
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) at a national median of $76,210 per year (mean $79,200), or $36.64 per hour, with 670,520 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Police Officer Overview
Police officers protect communities by enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, and conducting investigations. They patrol areas, make arrests, and maintain public safety.
Education
High School Diploma / Associate's
Experience
Police Academy
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
671K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$36.64/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,351
Local evidence pages
High-intent Police Officer salary checks
These pages answer location-specific searches where a national median is not enough. Use them when the question is about an exact city posting, local credential path, or city-specific salary range.
Police Officer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Police Officer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Police Officer Salary
$85,000
$7,083/month · $3,269/biweekly · $40.87/hr
Police Officer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Police Officer field.
Entry-level Police Officers earn around $55,100, while the top 10% earn $114,900 or more.
Top Paying States for Police Officers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $90,000 | +$13,790 |
| New York | $88,000 | +$11,790 |
| Illinois | $79,000 | +$2,790 |
| Texas | $75,000 | $-1,210 |
| Florida | $75,000 | $-1,210 |
Top Paying Cities for Police Officers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $121,980 | +$45,770 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $107,810 | +$31,600 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $105,540 | +$29,330 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $79,840 | +$3,630 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $74,570 | $-1,640 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Police Officer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Police Officer from entry level to expert.
$55,100
0-2 years
$78,000
3-7 years
$100,800
8-14 years
$129,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Police Officer Salary FAQ
How much does a Police Officer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Police Officer in the United States is $76,210 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051); the mean is $79,200. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $55,100, senior professionals around $100,800, and top earners at $129,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Police Officer?
A Police Officer typically requires a High School Diploma / Associate's with Police Academy of experience. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Report Writing, De-escalation. Relevant certifications such as POST Certification or CPR can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Police Officers?
The job market for Police Officers is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 671K Police Officer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 12%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Police Officers the most?
The highest-paying states for Police Officers include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $90,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Police Officer salary?
To increase your Police Officer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Law Enforcement and Report Writing. Pursue certifications such as POST Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With Police Academy of experience, you can progress from $55,100 to $100,800 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Police Officer Salary
How we calculate Police Officer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $76,210, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers; BLS mean $79,200; BLS hourly median $36.64.
- Entry-level ($55,100) and senior-level ($100,800) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 670,520 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: High School Diploma / Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $76,210; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Police Officer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police Officer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Police Officer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Law Enforcement, Report Writing, De-escalation), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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