Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Annual wage data for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
666,990
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $47,640. 25th percentile: U.S. $58,980. 50th percentile: U.S. $76,290. 75th percentile: U.S. $97,190. 90th percentile: U.S. $115,280. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $47,640 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $115,280 |
| Workers on average earn | $79,320 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
