Average Police Officer Salary

From Coast To Coast, What Is The Average Police Officer Salary?

From coast to coast, across the United States, whether from east to west or north to south, there is a great deal of conjecture about the average police officer salary. Do officers make huge bonuses every year? Some would seem to think so. Do they receive time and a half pay for working such events as traffic control for hockey games? Most people are relatively unaware of just exactly what the salary range is for a police officer, whether that officer is one of many detectives or a patrol officer.

Factors Influencing Your Salary

The actual average salary depends on a number of things. First, is the officer working full time or part time? Most police departments prefer that their officers work at least 40 hours per week.

Second, is the person in question a patrol officer? Typically these officers make less than detectives.

Third, what is the policy for holiday pay, if the officers are required to work a holiday? Do they receive a uniform allowance? All of the items listed above vary widely from state to state, as well as depending upon the officer's seniority, number of hours worked, the way overtime or time and a half is calculated, and more. Some examples, listed by state, of an average police officer salary are as follows:

• Maine: approximately $35,000
• Colorado: approximately $44,000
• Texas: approximately $44,000
• Alaska: approximately $74,000

External Benefits

Keep in mind, once again, that these salary figures do not include overtime, insurance or other benefits and are merely representative of average police officer salary. Some officers may actually earn more and some may earn far less.  There are at least three states in which police officers earn less than $45,000 as starting salary, so that means that the national average is generally higher and more of a living wage.

Before you decide to complain about how over-paid you think a police officer is, let me remind you that the officer is required to, in some states, have a 4 year degree (at their own expense), and they undergo a strict training regimen. Not only that but they are also required to take continuing education courses every year, and be in peak physical condition. Finally, police officers place their lives on the line every day for us. We expect them to step in the middle of emergency situations with chilling regularity and we never think twice about demanding such service - so let's pay them a fair living wage.  

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