If you are considering a career in law enforcement, remember that it is a very competitive field. There is stiff competition for entry-level positions and only the best candidates will be selected.
Police officers are sworn public servants who make their communities safer by enforcing laws and protecting people. Their duties can range from patrolling public areas to responding to emergencies, investigating crimes and arresting suspects. Police officers often work alongside sheriff deputies and other peace officers, such as probation agents, parole officers and correctional officers.
The starting salary for police officers varies from one agency to another. In New York City, a police officer earns $38,000 per year; in Los Angeles it is $39,500; and in San Francisco the starting salary is $44,000. A police officer salary also depends on experience, education level and rank.
Starting Salary For Police Officer Overview
Starting salary for police officers varies by state, but the average annual starting salary for a police officer in the United States is $40,000.
If you’re considering becoming a police officer, it’s important to know that you’re entering into a career with significant risks. Police officers deal with violence, danger and uncertainty on a daily basis. They must be prepared to make life-and-death decisions within seconds.
The majority of police officers work for local law enforcement agencies and are paid according to their rank and experience level. A typical starting salary for police officers ranges from $30,000 to $45,000 per year.
A Police Officer’s Starting Salary
Police officers are responsible for maintaining law and order and public safety. Educational requirements vary by jurisdiction, but most officers are required to complete an academy program before receiving a badge. Annual salaries for police officers also vary significantly between jurisdictions, and officers working in different regions can sometimes earn far more, or less, than their counterparts within the state.
Job Description
Police officers typically begin their careers as uniformed patrol officers. Typical job duties include:
- Responding to calls for assistance from members of the public
- Stopping crimes in progress
- Securing crime and accident scenes
- Performing initial investigations
- Collecting evidence
- Writing reports
- Making arrests, when necessary
Education Requirements
Each police department or agency sets its own educational requirements for recruits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, police officers are expected to hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Federal law enforcement agencies, and even some local departments, require officers to hold a bachelor’s degree. New recruits are usually required to complete intensive training at a police academy. The BLS also notes that foreign language skills are often in demand by federal agencies.
In some cases, holding a two or four-year degree can increase your chances of getting hired, and may be a necessity for earning a promotion to higher ranks in the department. If you don’t have a degree, find out whether the department you applied to offers tuition reimbursement. In some cases, you may be able to complete a degree part time, at minimal expense, while working as a police officer.
BLS records show that the median annual wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers was $61,050 in May of 2017. This means that 50 percent of all officers made more than this amount and the other half made less. The top 10 percent of earners made more than $105,230 and the bottom 10 percent earned less than $35,780.
Salaries also differ significantly by state and municipality. For example, California patrol officers in 2017 earned an annual mean (average) wage of $100,090, the highest in the nation. Yet compensation at different departments within the state vary widely: Officers working for the San Jose Police Department earned an annual mean salary of $123,810, while those working in the Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area took home only $85,420.
Industry
According to the BLS, police officers usually work full time and can expect to be required to work weekends, holidays and overnight. Police work can be dangerous, and officers have a higher-than-average risk of sustaining on-the-job injuries. Many officers, particularly at the beginning of their careers, spend their days on the streets patrolling neighborhoods and responding to calls.
Years of Experience
A survey by PayScale.com showed that police officers can expect to earn more as they gain job experience. The survey results show the following correlation between earnings and years on the job:
- 0-5 years: $44,000
- 5-10 years: $50,000
- 10-20 years: $55,000
- 20+ years: $64,000
Job Growth Trend
The BLS anticipates a 7 percent increase in employment for police officers between 2016 and 2026. The best opportunities for finding a good police job will be for those who hold a four-year college degree, know more than one language or are military veterans
