What Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "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"; "Investigate illegal or suspicious activities".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 693,200 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 717,300 in 2035, an increase of 24,100 jobs (+3.5%). That matches the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 51,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $76,210, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earn the most
Across the 18 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $56,278 in Georgia to $116,085 in California, a gap of $59,807 (2.06 times). 14 of those 18 states average above the BLS national median of $76,210 and 4 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 71,240, which is 11.6% of the 612,400 counted across them. New York follows with 68,510.
Highest-paying states
California ($116,085), New Jersey ($101,105) and New York ($99,886) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($56,278) and Virginia ($71,617) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 22 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $60,295. The smallest margin is $22,094 in Fulton County, GA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 22 of the 22 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 17.4% and 47.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (33-3000) include Detectives and Criminal Investigators and Correctional Officers and Jailers.
Frequently asked questions about Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
What is the national median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $76,210. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $56,278 to $116,085.
Which state pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $116,085. New Jersey is next at $101,105.
What is the job outlook for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 51,500 openings a year.
What education do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $60,295 on a median wage of $107,810.