Law Enforcement Officer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$76,000
national median salary
$59,000 to $97,000. Last updated July 2026.
Highest Paying
$103,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$79,000
Arlington, VA
Lowest Paying
$59,000
Jackson, MS
Salary data sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. Most ranges are anchored to BLS OES occupation wage percentiles and placed by seniority level (entry near the 25th, mid at the median, senior at the 75th); a minority of emerging roles retain a modeled estimate where BLS has no matching series. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated July 2026. Baseline derived from BLS SOC 33-3051. Full methodology.
The average Law Enforcement Officer salary in the United States is $76,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $59,000 at the 25th percentile to $97,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $103,000, while Arlington offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Agency level and geographic location are the dominant factors.
Law Enforcement Officer salary by city.
Skills that increase Law Enforcement Officer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Law Enforcement Officers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $10,640 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$10,640 per year
≈ +$9,880 per year
≈ +$9,120 per year
≈ +$8,360 per year
≈ +$8,360 per year
≈ +$7,600 per year
≈ +$7,600 per year
≈ +$6,840 per year
What you should know.
Agency level and geographic location are the dominant factors. Federal agents (FBI, DEA, USMS) earn 30 to 50% more than local police. Large urban departments in high-cost areas pay significantly more than rural agencies. Specialized units including detective, K-9, SWAT, and cybercrime command pay differentials of $3,000 to $15,000 annually.
Patrol officers start at $50,000 to $58,000. Senior officers and detectives earn $66,000 to $86,000 after five to eight years. Sergeants reach $75,000 to $100,000, lieutenants earn $90,000 to $120,000, and chiefs in midsize departments earn $120,000 to $180,000.
Overtime, court pay, and off-duty details can add 15 to 35% above base salary. Pension benefits are among the most generous in public service, with 20 to 25 year retirement at 50 to 70% salary. Many agencies provide take-home vehicles and uniform allowances.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Law Enforcement Officers typically earn $68,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Law Enforcement Officer?
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Common questions about Law Enforcement Officer pay.
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