Police Officer Salary and Career Outlook

Police officers work to enforce laws. Often the first to respond to emergency situations, they also conduct routine patrols, issue traffic citations, and submit reports about situations they handled.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for police officers and detectives will increase by 7% from 2020-2030, indicating a strong outlook for the field. Individuals considering police officer careers should have strong communication skills, an interest in leadership, and a desire to help other people. A police officer must hold a high school diploma at minimum, though many police departments require some college coursework.

Most police officers work for local, state, and federal government employers. According to the BLS, local government employs 77% of the police officers and detectives in the country.

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Police officers help people by responding to emergencies, monitoring traffic rules, and arresting criminal suspects. They work within the law enforcement industry, which covers several careers including correctional officers and bailiffs, emergency management workers, security guards, and private investigators.

On a typical day, police officers interact with many different people. They respond to calls from citizens, adhere to a chain of command within their local precincts, and communicate with officials such as prosecutors. They may spend time writing reports, testifying in court cases, and dealing with traffic violations.

With police work, promotions occur on a ladder that starts with a probationary period. Following this period, internal reviews typically determine when officers advance to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain roles. Some police officers might decide to specialize in particular areas of the law. Others might decide to pursue roles as special agents within the FBI.

Though the job comes with high stresses, police officers can excel when they possess the right skills. Soft skills relate to personality traits and attitudes, while hard skills involve measurable abilities. The sections below explore some of the key abilities that help police officers in their work.

Police officers often begin their shifts by checking their equipment to make sure everything works properly, including patrol cars, radios, and first aid supplies. Station leaders may brief officers on important developments at the start of each shift. Shifts typically run for eight hours at a time, around the clock.

Daily tasks vary depending on the assigned patrol. Police officers might serve particular neighborhoods by patrolling in cars or on foot. They offer community assistance by providing security at public events and on school campuses. At other times, they work at the precinct, answering phone calls and coordinating station activities.

During a typical day, a police offer might:

The BLS projects that job openings for police officers will grow by 7% from 2020-2030. This parallels the national average for all occupations. As officers retire, advance, or move on to other law enforcement jobs, newcomers can pursue entry-level openings. The number of available jobs can depend on factors like location, specialization, and industry.

Police work can be a stable job choice, particularly for those who like the idea of a clear advancement path. Stations typically promote from within their ranks once they qualify. However, police officers regularly face stressful and dangerous situations, which may have long-term effects on mental and physical health.

According to May 2020 BLS data, police and detectives earn a median annual wage of $67,290. Detectives and criminal investigators make a median annual wage of $86,940.

Police officer career advancement typically occurs within the structure of the department. Police departments base promotions on experience, written examinations, and performance reviews. Some police officers may also advance to detective roles. Aspiring police officers can work toward promotions by:

States employing the most police and sheriff’s patrol officers include California, Texas, New York, and Florida. These numbers align closely with the country’s most populous states, suggesting that higher populations require more law enforcement workers.

Police officers looking to specialize may look for opportunities in other places. Top locations for transit and railroad police include New York, California, Ohio, and Illinois. The most fish and game wardens work in Florida, Texas, New York, and Tennessee.

Aspiring police officers should consider their preferred type of work. Areas with higher crime rates can make the job more dangerous. However, those who want to work in highly specialized areas, like canine enforcement units, might need to follow the job to a new location.

Top industries employing police officers include local and state government; colleges, universities, and professional schools; and the federal executive branch.

Police officers need to apply with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some jobs require college coursework related to criminal justice, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Police officers often need to be 21 years old to qualify for the job. Younger students can join cadet programs to learn how to become police officers by helping at the station and taking classes in law enforcement.

Aspiring police officers can follow these steps to land employment in the field:

A police officer needs to hold a high school diploma or an equivalent credential. Some employers require associate or bachelor’s degrees. College coursework in criminal justice or law enforcement can help applicants qualify for more jobs. Individuals looking for more specific roles can tailor their studies accordingly. For example, aspiring fish and game wardens might major in biology or wildlife science.

Education requirements vary depending on the employer. Local governments might hire more high school graduates, while federal agencies more often require a bachelor’s degree. Aspiring police officers can gain experience through cadet training or military service.

According to PayScale, entry-level police officers earned an average annual salary of $47,770 as of September 2021. With 5-9 years of experience, the average salary grows to $53,960. Police officers can increase their potential earnings by developing skills like safety compliance, emergency response, and operations management.

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Because most police officers train through their specific departments, industry certifications can help with advancement or professional development goals. Examples include:

Police officers can qualify for the job through several entry points. Aspiring law enforcement professionals might connect with their local precincts to complete cadet training. Cadets who meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years usually need a driver’s license and may need to pass interviews.

Cadet training can coincide with college coursework. Military service can also provide an access point for police officer training or work.

Finally, college coursework in criminal justice or law enforcement can provide an excellent path to working as a police officer. An individual who completes an associate or bachelor’s degree can often qualify for positions, even without other experience in the field.

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