Public Service National Data · 2026 +4.0% YoY proj.

Police Officer Salary in 2026

California departments pay extraordinarily — base + overtime + pensions are unmatched.

$81,100
National median annual salary for Police Officers in the United States, projected Q1 2026.
Range: $59,500 (P25) → $106,000 (P75) → $132,000 (P90).
Pay distribution · 2026
P25
$59,500
MEDIAN
$81,100
P75
$106,000
P90
$132,000
Experience Tier

Police Officer Salary by Experience Level

Pay scales steeply with tenure for Police Officers. National figures, before regional adjustments.

ExperienceMedian 202625th Percentile75th Percentile
Entry Level (0–1 yr)$56,700$41,600$74,200
Junior (2–4 yrs)$70,500$51,700$92,200
Mid-Level (5–9 yrs)$81,100$59,500$106,000
Senior (10–14 yrs)$97,300$71,400$127,200
Veteran (15+ yrs)$110,200$80,900$144,100
Geography

Highest-Paying States for Police Officers

Top 10 states by median Police Officer salary in 2026.

StateMedian25th %75th %vs Nat'l
California $125,700 $95,600 $163,500 +55%
New York $115,200 $87,500 $149,700 +42%
Washington DC $113,600 $86,300 $147,600 +40%
New Jersey $107,100 $81,400 $139,200 +32%
Massachusetts $105,500 $80,100 $137,100 +30%
Washington $99,000 $75,200 $128,700 +22%
Connecticut $98,200 $74,600 $127,600 +21%
Illinois $97,300 $74,000 $126,500 +20%
Maryland $97,300 $74,000 $126,500 +20%
Colorado $94,900 $72,100 $123,400 +17%

Lowest-Paying States for Police Officers

StateMedian25th %75th %vs Nat'l
Kentucky $69,000 $52,400 $89,600 -15%
North Dakota $68,100 $51,800 $88,600 -16%
Oklahoma $68,100 $51,800 $88,600 -16%
Wyoming $68,100 $51,800 $88,600 -16%
Alabama $67,300 $51,200 $87,500 -17%
Louisiana $67,300 $51,200 $87,500 -17%
Arkansas $64,900 $49,300 $84,400 -20%
South Dakota $64,900 $49,300 $84,400 -20%
West Virginia $63,300 $48,100 $82,300 -22%
Mississippi $58,400 $44,400 $75,900 -28%
Major US Metros

Highest-Paying Cities for Police Officers

Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.

Complete Coverage

Police Officer Salary in All 50 States

Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.

Personal Audit

Are you, personally, underpaid as a Police Officer?

The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.

Get my personal Police Officer salary report →