Law Enforcement Officer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$76,000
national median salary
$59,000 to $97,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $76,210 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) across the United States, based on 670,520 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$47,510
25th percentile
$59,290
Median
$76,210
75th percentile
$97,600
90th percentile
$115,120
Workers surveyed
670,520
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$76,290
May 2025 release
$76,210
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) rather than Law Enforcement Officerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 33-3051Highest Paying
$103,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$79,000
Arlington, VA
Lowest Paying
$59,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 33-3051. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Law Enforcement Officer salary in the United States at $76,000 in 2026, within a range of $59,000 to $97,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $103,000, while Arlington offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Agency level and geographic location are the dominant factors.
Law Enforcement Officer salary by city.
Skills that increase Law Enforcement Officer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Law Enforcement Officers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $10,640 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$10,640 per year
≈ +$9,880 per year
≈ +$9,120 per year
≈ +$8,360 per year
≈ +$8,360 per year
≈ +$7,600 per year
≈ +$7,600 per year
≈ +$6,840 per year
What you should know.
Agency level and geographic location are the dominant factors. Federal agents (FBI, DEA, USMS) earn 30 to 50% more than local police. Large urban departments in high-cost areas pay significantly more than rural agencies. Specialized units including detective, K-9, SWAT, and cybercrime command pay differentials of $3,000 to $15,000 annually.
Patrol officers start at $50,000 to $58,000. Senior officers and detectives earn $66,000 to $86,000 after five to eight years. Sergeants reach $75,000 to $100,000, lieutenants earn $90,000 to $120,000, and chiefs in midsize departments earn $120,000 to $180,000.
Overtime, court pay, and off-duty details can add 15 to 35% above base salary. Pension benefits are among the most generous in public service, with 20 to 25 year retirement at 50 to 70% salary. Many agencies provide take-home vehicles and uniform allowances.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Law Enforcement Officers typically earn $68,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Law Enforcement Officer?
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Common questions about Law Enforcement Officer pay.
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