The average salary of a police officer is computed to be roughly $71,459 per year for the year 2025 across the entire US. However, location, training, and department size all influence salaries. The entry-level salaries range from $54,000 to $97,000 a year, which has a lot to do with the disparity in pay from small rural departments to forces in the larger metropolitan areas.
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Freebies and extra income
They also have a sort of extra pay in various forms not necessarily listed on the paycheck, which can contribute to the higher earnings. On average, the amount of extra pay is around $14,988, thus totaling to a little over $86,447 in estimated total annual compensation. The extra pay can include such items as:
- Bonuses
- Overtime pay
- Special duty
- Hazard pay
- Shift differential
- Longevity
- Salaries Dependent on Location and Department
Certain localities and departments will pay more to bring in and hold on to their officers, such as
- New York City Police Department: $70,000-$107,000
- Chicago Police Department: $80,000-$120,000
- Metropolitan Police of Washington D.C.: $79,000-$115,000
- Los Angeles Police Department: $72,000-$117,000
- Houston Police Department: $71,000-$102,000
Federal law enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Capitol Police and Federal Reserve Board, tend to offer some of the highest salaries, with officers earning between $81,000 and $137,000 annually.
Top-paying employers
Various private and public sectors pay police officers more than the average salary. The best-paying employers are:
- Microsoft: $93,000 – $173,000 a year
- City of Kemah: $89,000 – $134,000 a year
- Federal Reserve Board: $87,000 – $137,000 a year
- City of Folsom: $88,000 – $134,000 per year
Highest-paying industries for police officers
Some industries particularly require special security expertise and law enforcement skills, and typically pay police officers better. The highest-paying industries for police officers include:
– Government & Public Administration: $80,755 mean complete pay
– Information Technology: $79,262 mean complete pay
– Transport & Logistics: $74,882 mean complete pay
– Financial Services: $74,268 mean complete pay
– Education: $72,740 mean complete pay.
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Salary Growth and Career Advancement Police officers can look forward to developing their salaries as they gain experience, earn promotions, and undergo specialized training.
They also have several opportunities for career progression, including:
- Detective: Average salary $77,000 per year
- Senior Police Officer: $43,000 – $70,000 per year
- Chief Police Officer: $31,000 – $47,000 per year (higher for larger departments)
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