The national median police officer salary is $72,000 in 2026. But location, agency size, rank, and overtime can swing total compensation by $60,000 or more. Here’s the full breakdown by state, rank, and experience.
Police Officer Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $112,980 | $76,300 | $118,880 |
| 2 | Washington | $104,140 | $79,120 | $102,080 |
| 3 | Alaska | $101,770 | $60,670 | $99,130 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $93,700 | $57,740 | $92,610 |
| 5 | Delaware | $93,210 | $62,470 | $92,970 |
| 6 | Illinois | $92,450 | $58,420 | $100,520 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $92,390 | $66,420 | $88,650 |
| 8 | Colorado | $90,550 | $65,340 | $97,350 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $90,360 | $77,480 | $83,820 |
| 10 | Oregon | $87,990 | $66,380 | $88,140 |
| 11 | New York | $87,110 | $53,000 | $92,790 |
| 12 | Nevada | $86,470 | $62,250 | $78,140 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $85,130 | $60,670 | $83,360 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $83,920 | $63,310 | $82,170 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $83,230 | $61,160 | $78,940 |
| 16 | Maryland | $82,400 | $58,580 | $77,970 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $81,910 | $48,680 | $85,470 |
| 18 | Arizona | $81,720 | $60,990 | $78,880 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $78,760 | $59,020 | $77,230 |
| 20 | Utah | $78,760 | $60,290 | $77,310 |
| 21 | Ohio | $76,730 | $51,110 | $77,020 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $76,560 | $58,530 | $78,090 |
| 23 | Iowa | $76,280 | $59,360 | $74,470 |
| 24 | Texas | $76,160 | $51,240 | $75,900 |
| 25 | Florida | $75,320 | $51,330 | $74,470 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $75,290 | $54,680 | $74,620 |
| 27 | Indiana | $75,130 | $52,170 | $73,370 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $72,400 | $58,620 | $74,500 |
| 29 | Idaho | $70,860 | $48,840 | $66,990 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $70,630 | $57,930 | $71,640 |
| 31 | Vermont | $70,560 | $53,950 | $68,910 |
| 32 | Virginia | $70,450 | $50,000 | $65,870 |
| 33 | Michigan | $70,310 | $47,780 | $73,730 |
| 34 | Maine | $69,830 | $55,930 | $67,050 |
| 35 | Montana | $69,540 | $55,330 | $70,050 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $67,080 | $57,130 | $66,140 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $66,700 | $48,400 | $69,180 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $64,320 | $47,540 | $60,740 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $63,120 | $36,480 | $59,700 |
| 40 | Missouri | $62,520 | $43,210 | $59,460 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $61,830 | $43,520 | $59,280 |
| 42 | Kansas | $61,450 | $42,040 | $59,230 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $61,390 | $46,040 | $59,300 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $60,420 | $45,060 | $58,070 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $59,840 | $38,780 | $60,490 |
| 46 | Georgia | $58,520 | $43,690 | $58,120 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $55,900 | $41,950 | $56,960 |
| 48 | Alabama | $55,130 | $37,480 | $51,270 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $51,250 | $36,470 | $48,380 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $49,850 | $35,210 | $47,670 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $47,010 | $33,230 | $46,140 |
| — | National | $79,200 | $47,510 | $76,210 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-08-25. Figures cover Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Police Officer Salary by Rank
Promotions are the fastest path to significantly higher pay in law enforcement.
| Rank | National Average | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Police Recruit (academy) | $38,000 | $28,000–$50,000 |
| Police Officer (entry) | $55,000 | $40,000–$72,000 |
| Police Officer (5+ years) | $72,000 | $55,000–$92,000 |
| Detective / Investigator | $85,000 | $65,000–$115,000 |
| Sergeant | $90,000 | $70,000–$120,000 |
| Lieutenant | $100,000 | $80,000–$135,000 |
| Captain / Commander | $115,000 | $90,000–$150,000 |
| Police Chief | $130,000 | $80,000–$225,000+ |
Police Officer Salary by Agency Size
Larger departments in major cities pay substantially more than small rural agencies.
| Agency Type | Avg Base Salary | Total Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Small town / rural (<25 officers) | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Mid-size city (25–200 officers) | $62,000 | $75,000 |
| Large city (200–500 officers) | $78,000 | $98,000 |
| Major metro (500+ officers) | $95,000 | $125,000+ |
| Federal law enforcement (FBI, DEA) | $98,000 | $135,000+ |
| State police/highway patrol | $72,000 | $92,000 |
Police Officer Total Compensation
Base salary is only part of the picture. Officers in many states earn significant additional pay:
| Compensation Component | Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Base salary | $55,000–$95,000 |
| Overtime (common in law enforcement) | $8,000–$30,000 |
| Pension contribution (employer) | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Health/dental/vision (employer) | $15,000–$22,000 |
| Shift differential / hazard pay | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Uniform / equipment allowance | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Total estimated compensation | $89,000–$178,000 |
Police Officer Salary by Experience
| Years of Experience | Average Base Salary | % Increase from Start |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 year | $45,000 | Baseline |
| 2–4 years | $57,000 | +27% |
| 5–9 years | $68,000 | +51% |
| 10–15 years | $76,000 | +69% |
| 16–20 years | $84,000 | +87% |
| 20+ years (senior) | $90,000 | +100% |
How to Increase Your Police Officer Salary
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Earn a promotion (Sergeant) | +$15,000–$25,000 |
| Move to a larger agency or major metro | +$10,000–$30,000 |
| Work overtime / specialty assignments | +$8,000–$30,000 |
| Earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree | +$3,000–$8,000 (education incentive pay) |
| Specialize (SWAT, K-9, detective) | +$5,000–$15,000 |
| Relocate to California, NJ, or WA | +$20,000–$50,000 |
| Move to federal law enforcement | +$15,000–$40,000 |
Related: Police Officer Salary | Firefighter Salary by State | Average Salary by State
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 OES — Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers (33-3051).” bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook — Police and Detectives.” bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy