Police Officer
Police & Detectives
SOC 33-3051
How Much Does a Police Officer Make?
The national median salary for a Police Officer is $74,910 per year ($36.01/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 14% above the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Police Officer
HS diploma min; many agencies require some college. Police academy training.
State POST certification REQUIRED; background check; physical fitness
Police Officer Job Outlook
As fast as avg — the BLS projects 3% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's roughly in line with the average across all occupations.
About 46,300 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Public safety; retirement wave; some agencies have severe shortages
What It's Like to Work as a Police Officer
This role involves significant physical labor.
This role typically requires in-person work at a specific location.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov