How Much Does a Police Officer Make? (2025)
A Police officer is responsible for maintaining public safety, enforcing federal law and local regulations, and protecting citizens through patrol, investigations, traffic control, and emergency response. The police officer's work is vital to the department and jurisdiction, requiring specialized skills and dedication to service.
Police officers are in demand, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups them under Police and Detectives, a role expected to grow 3% from 2023 to 2033. According to Salary.com, the average police officer salary in the United States is $63,900 per year, or $31 per hour, offering a competitive salary for this critical job. Police officers may also participate in deferred compensation plans, retirement plans, and receive comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, life insurance, supplemental life, sick leave, and vacation time.
Continue reading this guide for further details on police officer salary expectations, top-paying cities, and additional information about the career.
What is the Police Officer's Salary?
As of August 01, 2025, the average police officer salary in the United States is $63,900 per year or $31 per hour. The annual salary range for police officers is between $51,291 and $75,363, with most officers earning between $57,300 and $69,900 per calendar year. This compensation reflects the demanding nature of police work, with opportunities for overtime pay and shift differential for employees working non-standard hours.
2025 Average Salary for Police Officers: $63,900 per year ($31 per hour)
A Police officer reported an average monthly salary of $5,325, while the average weekly pay is $1,229. The annual cost of employing a police officer, including payroll deductions for taxes and benefits, adds to the total compensation package. Officers may also receive overtime for additional hours worked, particularly during high-demand periods in their jurisdiction.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25 | $986 | $4,274 | $51,291 |
| 25th Percentile | $28 | $1,102 | $4,775 | $57,300 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $31 | $1,229 | $5,325 | $63,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $34 | $1,344 | $5,825 | $69,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $36 | $1,449 | $6,280 | $75,363 |
Aside from the base salary, Police officers receive additional benefits. The average total compensation in the United States is $92,357 per year, including benefits such as Social Security ($5,041), 401k/403b ($3,097), Disability ($527), Healthcare ($6,056), Pension ($3,625), and Time Off ($8,111). The city often contributes to these plans, such as a deferred compensation plan or retirement plan, enhancing the overall value for eligible employees. For further information, check with your local department.
Police Officer Average Salaries State by State
Police officer salaries differ across U.S. states due to factors such as job demand, local costs, cost of living, and wage standards in each jurisdiction.
The table below shows the states with the highest average annual salary for police officers: California ($70,500), District of Columbia ($70,800), and Massachusetts ($69,600). The city contributes significantly to these salaries in high-cost areas.
On the other hand, states with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($57,000), Arkansas ($57,700), and West Virginia ($57,600).
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $69,200 |
| Alabama | $58,700 |
| Arkansas | $57,700 |
| Arizona | $62,300 |
| California | $70,500 |
| Colorado | $65,200 |
| Connecticut | $68,300 |
| District of Columbia | $70,800 |
| Delaware | $64,700 |
| Florida | $60,500 |
| Georgia | $61,600 |
| Hawaii | $66,800 |
| Iowa | $61,200 |
| Idaho | $59,700 |
| Illinois | $65,100 |
| Indiana | $61,400 |
| Kansas | $60,900 |
| Kentucky | $60,100 |
| Louisiana | $60,800 |
| Massachusetts | $69,600 |
| Maryland | $65,900 |
| Maine | $62,300 |
| Michigan | $62,900 |
| Minnesota | $65,400 |
| Missouri | $60,700 |
| Mississippi | $57,000 |
| Montana | $60,300 |
| North Carolina | $60,700 |
| North Dakota | $63,100 |
| Nebraska | $60,200 |
| New Hampshire | $64,600 |
| New Jersey | $69,300 |
| New Mexico | $59,200 |
| Nevada | $63,300 |
| New York | $67,900 |
| Ohio | $62,200 |
| Oklahoma | $59,100 |
| Oregon | $64,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,600 |
| Rhode Island | $66,300 |
| South Carolina | $59,900 |
| South Dakota | $58,100 |
| Tennessee | $59,700 |
| Texas | $62,300 |
| Utah | $61,200 |
| Virginia | $64,400 |
| Vermont | $62,700 |
| Washington | $69,300 |
| Wisconsin | $62,900 |
| West Virginia | $57,600 |
| Wyoming | $61,300 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Police Officers?
Police officer salaries vary by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas. Cities with high living costs often offer more officers higher salaries to attract qualified candidates.
For example, cities in California such as San Jose and San Francisco offer higher average salaries for police officers, at $80,600 and $79,800, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $80,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $79,800 |
| Oakland, CA | $78,000 |
| New York, NY | $74,100 |
| Queens Village, NY | $73,600 |
| Paramus, NJ | $73,100 |
How Does Experience Affect Police Officer Salaries?
Police officer salaries grow with years of service. Salary.com reports that entry-level officers with less than 1 year of experience earn about $61,733 per year, while those with over 8 years of service average $64,527 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Police Officer (<1 year) | $61,733 |
| Intermediate Level Police Officer (1-2 years) | $62,225 |
| Senior Level Police Officer (2-4 years) | $62,718 |
| Specialist Level Police Officer (5-8 years) | $63,703 |
| Expert Level Police Officer (8+ years) | $64,527 |
How to Increase Salary as a Police Officer?
According to Salary.com, most police officers in the United States need a high school diploma or associate degree to enter the field. Their salary can rise with years of service, specialized skills, or promotions to higher positions. College credits or a bachelor's degree (held by 40.8% of officers) can enhance opportunities for advancement. College degrees are increasingly valued in law enforcement.
Police Officer Advancements
- Build experience: Gaining years of service through patrol, specialized assignments (e.g., detective work, Field Training Officer), or training in a training academy can lead to higher pay and promotions.
- Promotion: Police officers can advance to roles such as police lieutenant ($107,230), senior police officer ($59,927), or other specialized positions, which offer higher pay and greater responsibilities.
- Specialization: Expertise in areas like vehicle operation, emergency management, bilingual officers, K-9 handling, crisis negotiation, or traffic control can boost demand and salary. Certifications in these areas support career growth.
- Education: While a high school diploma is often sufficient, an associate degree (22.4% of officers) or bachelor's degree (40.8%) can open doors to higher roles and greater pay. For further details, consult your department.
Police Officer Skills
Police officers with specialized skills can increase their pay. Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that Vehicle Operation skills raise salaries by +13.90%, while Traffic Control skills add +9.81%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Operation | 10.40% | +13.90% |
| Traffic Control | 10.70% | +9.81% |
| Emergency Management | 10.90% | +9.48% |
| Patrolling | 10.50% | +8.84% |
| Emergency Response | 10.50% | +8.73% |
| Crowd Control | 10.40% | +8.54% |
What are the FAQs About Police Officer Salaries?
Here are some common questions about police officer salaries:
How much do Police Officers make?
As of August 01, 2025, Police officers in the United States earn an average of about $63,900 per year, or $31 per hour, with most earning between $57,300 and $69,900. Overtime pay and shift differential can increase earnings.
Are Police Officers still in demand?
Yes, Police officers remain in demand. The BLS projects 3% stable employment for Police officer's roles through 2033, driven by the need to protect citizens and maintain public safety.
Is Police Officer a good career?
Yes, being a Police officer is a good career, offering a competitive salary (average $63,900 per year) and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, life insurance, supplemental life, sick leave, vacation time, and a retirement plan. The city often contributes to deferred compensation and pension plans for eligible employees.
What degree do you need to be a Police Officer?
Most Police officers need a high school diploma or associate degree to start on the first day of employment. According to Salary.com, 28.1% have a high school diploma, 22.4% have an associate degree, and 40.8% have a bachelor's degree. College credits or college degrees can enhance promotion opportunities.
What additional benefits do Police Officers receive?
Police officers receive comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, life insurance, supplemental life, sick leave, vacation time, and a retirement plan. The city often contributes to a deferred compensation plan and pension, with payroll deductions covering Social Security, 401k/403b, and disability. These benefits support officers and their families. For additional information or other purposes, consult your department.
