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
$65,000
$5,417/mo
Entry Level
$47,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$86,000
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
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)
700K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$31.25/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,417
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
$73,000
$6,083/month · $2,808/biweekly · $35.10/hr
Police Officer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Police Officer field.
Entry-level Police Officers earn around $47,000, while the top 10% earn $98,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Police Officers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $77,000 | +$12,000 |
| New York | $75,000 | +$10,000 |
| Illinois | $68,000 | +$3,000 |
| Texas | $64,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $64,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Police Officers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $77,000 | +$12,000 |
| Los Angeles | $73,000 | +$8,000 |
| Chicago | $68,000 | +$3,000 |
| Miami | $66,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $64,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Police Officer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Police Officer from entry level to expert.
$47,000
0-2 years
$67,000
3-7 years
$86,000
8-14 years
$110,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Police Officer Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Police Officer Salary
How we calculate Police Officer salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $65,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Police Officer in the Government sector.
- Entry-level ($47,000) and senior-level ($86,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 700K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Government sector wages.
- Education requirement: High School Diploma / Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $65,000.
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 Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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