Bailiff
Median wage · national
$56,600
Range: $44K – $75K
Employed
17K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: high school diploma or equivalent
Police Officer
Police Officer earn $76,210 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $59,290 and $97,600. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Police Officer
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.
- Median Wage
- $76,210
- Employed Nationally
- 671K
- Openings / Year
- 53,700
- Entry Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Accident Prevention Squad Police Officer
Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent (ALE Agent)
Animal Cop
Border Guard
Border Patrol Agent
How Much Do Police Officers Make?
Police Officer earn $76,210 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,290 and $97,600. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$76,210
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$59K–$98K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$59,290
Entry-level
$76,210
Median
$97,600
Experienced
What Do Police Officers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Police Officer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
- Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
- Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Police Officers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for Police Officers?
The BLS projects +3.1% employment change for Police Officer through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 53,700 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
53,700
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
671K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Police Officer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $76,210 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 65,170 | $115,400 | +51.4% |
| 2 | Texas | 62,230 | $76,350 | +0.2% |
| 3 | New York | 54,360 | $93,050 | +22.1% |
| 4 | Florida | 48,340 | $76,190 | +0.0% |
| 5 | Illinois | 29,790 | $101,530 | +33.2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Police Officer positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 103,302 | $55,378 | 1,899 |
| 2 | Public Safety | 8,130 | $57,805 | 498 |
| 3 | Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,147 | $56,185 | 185 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Police Officers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL | 91 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| 4 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 90 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| 5 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| 6 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | 90 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Police Officer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Police Officer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Police Officer Pros & Cons
The data on Police Officer shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $76,210 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Large, established field 671K people work in this occupation nationally, creating a broad job market with openings spread across every region and industry.
- Strong annual demand 53,700 job openings per year creates consistent hiring volume even in slower economic cycles. Entry-level candidates have real options throughout the year.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Earnings and demand vary significantly by region National figures for Police Officer mask real geographic variation. High-demand metros can pay 20% or more above the national median while lower-cost or rural markets often fall well short. Where you work matters nearly as much as your credentials.
Police Officer Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Police Officer professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Police Officer is $76,210, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,290 and $97,600. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Police Officer a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $76,210 median, with +3.1% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Police Officer?
Most Police Officer positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Criminal Justice are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Police Officer?
The BLS projects +3.1% employment change for Police Officer through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 53,700 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 671K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Police Officer professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Police Officer roles: Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
The Best-Paid Careers You Can Start Out of High School
The careers that list a high school diploma as the only entry credential top out at $122,610, and just three of the 72 reach six figures. Here is the full ranking.
- High school diploma jobs
- No degree careers
- Median wage
- Trades pay
- Entry education
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
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