Law Enforcement Pay Ladder: Security Guard to Patrol Officer to Detective to Sergeant
Law enforcement has a rank-based pay structure, and the federal data shows how large the steps are. Many officers start in private security; here is what each step paid in May 2025.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security guard | 1,283,470 | $30,210 | $38,020 | $58,840 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.9% |
| Police / sheriff patrol officer | 670,520 | $47,510 | $76,210 | $115,120 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Detective / investigator | 114,430 | $55,390 | $93,790 | $160,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.2% |
| Police supervisor | 154,610 | $63,350 | $106,040 | $165,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.3% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Security guard to police officer
Security guards earn a median of $38,020. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers earn $76,210. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook says most officers must graduate from their agency’s training academy and complete on-the-job training, and candidates usually must be at least 21 and meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
Patrol to detective
Detectives and criminal investigators earn $93,790, $17,580 more than patrol officers. Most are promoted from patrol based on experience and exams.
Into supervision
First-line supervisors of police and detectives (sergeants and lieutenants) earn a median of $106,040. The 90th percentile is $165,110.
Where police / sheriff patrol officers earn the most
State medians for police and sheriff's patrol officers vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $118,880 | 65,940 |
| Washington | $102,080 | 9,160 |
| Illinois | $100,520 | 29,180 |
| Alaska | $99,130 | 1,260 |
| Colorado | $97,350 | 9,610 |
What drives police pay
- Overtime and special duty. BLS wage estimates exclude overtime, which is a large share of take-home pay for many officers.
- Location. The state table above shows how far apart medians are.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
How overtime works for police: public agencies can use a special 7(k) work period of 7 to 28 days. For a 28-day period, officers are owed overtime after 171 hours (fire protection staff after 212), prorated for shorter periods. Ask your agency which work period it uses. Source: WHD Fact Sheet #8: Police and Firefighters.