Salary guide
Police Officer Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What police officers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median police officer salary in the U.S. is $76,210 per year, or $36.64 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $47,510, while the top 10% earned more than $115,120.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Police Officer pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,510 | $22.84 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $59,290 | $28.50 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $76,210 | $36.64 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $97,600 | $46.92 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $115,120 | $55.35 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $59,290 | $76,210 | $97,600 |
| Per month | $4,941 | $6,351 | $8,133 |
| Every two weeks | $2,280 | $2,931 | $3,754 |
| Per week | $1,140 | $1,466 | $1,877 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects police officer pay
- Agency size and local government budgets
- Rank, seniority and specialty assignments
- Overtime, shift differentials and court time
- State licensing and armed-guard credentials for security work
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a police officer
- Get credentialed: State POST certification, Field training program, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
- Build specialty experience: Respond to calls and patrol.
- Move up: roles such as detective, specialist or sergeant and lieutenant, captain or chief typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Police Officer pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of police officers to change by +3.5% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 51,500 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 33-3051 (“Police and sheriff's patrol officers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Police Officer salary FAQ
How much does a police officer make per hour?
The median hourly wage for police officers was $36.64 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $22.84 and the top 10% earned about $55.35 or more.
How much does a police officer make a month?
At the median annual wage of $76,210, that works out to about $6,351 per month before taxes, or about $2,931 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a police officer?
New police officers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $47,510 and the 25th percentile was $59,290 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can police officers earn more?
Common ways include earning State POST certification and Field training program, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as detective, specialist or sergeant.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-3051 (Police and sheriff's patrol officers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Police and sheriff's patrol officers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.