Police officer earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level police officer earnings begin at:

$37.66 per hour

$78,330 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level police officer earnings begin at:

$31.74 per hour

$66,020 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level police officer earnings begin at:

$29.42 per hour

$61,190 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level police officer earnings begin at:

$23.26 per hour

$48,390 per year

10th percentile

Starting level police officer earnings begin at:

$22.75 per hour

$47,310 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Police officer salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Washington $98,070
New Jersey $97,860
Illinois $83,080
Alaska $81,640
Oregon $80,860
Delaware $80,140
District of Columbia $79,310
New York $79,080
Colorado $78,560
Hawaii $78,540
Connecticut $77,640
Minnesota $77,610
Maryland $76,880
Pennsylvania $76,880
Massachusetts $76,340
Nevada $76,010
Wisconsin $71,590
Arizona $66,020
Rhode Island $65,440
Ohio $64,610
Michigan $64,510
Iowa $63,970
Texas $63,800
North Dakota $63,200
New Hampshire $62,130
Florida $61,970
Indiana $61,800
Nebraska $61,590
Montana $61,190
Utah $60,390
Idaho $60,040
Maine $60,040
Vermont $60,040
Wyoming $60,040
New Mexico $59,580
Virginia $58,480
Missouri $51,990
South Dakota $50,660
Kansas $50,480
Oklahoma $50,480
Georgia $48,730
North Carolina $48,390
South Carolina $48,380
Alabama $48,290
Tennessee $47,850
West Virginia $47,850
Kentucky $47,310
Puerto Rico $45,500
Louisiana $43,220
Arkansas $39,890
Mississippi $37,390
California $100,330

How do police officer salaries compare to similar careers?

Police officers earn 7% less than similar careers in Montana. On average, they make less than special agents but more than meter readers.

Career Median Salary
Special agent salary $84K
Hearing officer salary $61K
Forensic science technician salary $64K
Funeral director salary $61K
Coroner salary $63K
Sheriff salary $61K
Police officer salary $61K
Clergy member salary $60K
Private detective salary $64K
Meter reader salary $62K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)