Public Service
Police Officer Salary
Patrols communities, responds to incidents, and enforces the law.
Low
$46,000
Average
$68,000
High
$98,000
What this role does
- Patrol assigned areas
- Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls
- Investigate incidents and write reports
- Testify in court when required
Education & path in
High school diploma plus police academy training; some departments prefer college credit
Experience level: Entry-level after academy graduation
Where it pays best
States that typically pay above the national average for this role: California, New Jersey, Washington, New York, Illinois. Actual pay depends heavily on metro area, employer size, and cost of living.
Job outlook
Average
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Figures are editorial estimates as of Jul 1, 2026, not official government statistics. For official data, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics.