Top 39 best paying police departments
Top 39 Highest Paid Police Departments 2022 in USA
The three components of the United States law enforcement system are law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Each organ must play its due role to ensure the smooth running of state affairs. Law enforcement officers play a vital role in ensuring the safety of people in their homes and communities.
Police officers are law enforcement employees who complete training courses to prepare them for their role in enforcing the law among communities and protecting citizens. If this career sounds interesting to you, consider a career as a police officer and the departments in which you may earn an above-average compensation for your job duties.
In this article, we discuss 39 police departments across the nation that offer higher pay, which may help you decide where to pursue your career in law enforcement.
Top 39 Highest Paid Police Departments 2022 in USA
What type of police gets paid the most?
A patrol police officer gets the highest hourly pay rate of over $14 per hour. Detectives also rank among the highest-paid types of police.
Which state has the highest-paid police officer?
As of 2020, occupational data reports that, on average, police officers in California earn $105,220 per year. This figure is over $37,000 more than the national average of $67,600.
How much does a police officer get paid?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average annual wage of a police officer is $67,600. However, it is important to note that salaries of police officers can vary depending on the state and the cost of living in that state.
Do police officers get paid well?
Police officers in the United States get paid comparably to police officers in other countries. In the US, Police officers’ pay is about 37.5% ($15,000) above the average annual salary of all occupations nationwide ($51,960).
List of Highest Police Departments in the World 2022
Below are the top 39 highest-paid police departments in the world.
1. United States – California
California is one of the highest-paid police departments in the world. On average, a police officer’s salary is $93,550, which is 52.7% higher than the national average. In Sunnyvale or San Jose, police officers may earn up to $114,520 per year.
2. Canada – RCMP
In Canada, police officers are paid relatively high compared to other professions. On average, they make $88,315 annually, which is $32,500 more than the average salary of all occupations combined. This 36.8% difference indicates that being a police officer in Canada is a relatively lucrative profession.
3. Switzerland – Zurich
Police officers working in the English, French, and Swiss dominant zones make an average of CHF 76,000 to 90,848 per annum, according to the report from salaryexpert.com. A police officer serving in the Zurich Police department can expect to earn an average of CHF 95,970 per annum.
4. Australia
The average salary for an Australian police officer is approximately AU$56,000 ($42,000). Salaries vary based on the state and city where the officer is stationed. However, officers based in Sydney and Melbourne generally earn higher salaries.
5. The United Kingdom – London
The UK police are highly dedicated and responsible workers who are justifiably compensated with some of the highest salaries in the world. Constables in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland earn a basic salary of 19,400 to 23,000 GBP per year.
6. Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
Size: 1,001–5,000 employees
Location: Washington, D.C.
Salary: $65,004 per year
Description:
The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia was founded in 1861, and is one of the 10 largest police agencies in the country. The department offers several job positions, such as police officers, police sergeants, detectives and civilian staff members, to help enforce the law and ensure safety among the district. The department offers training courses to help staff members understand the law further and how to practice it under their specific department. Some benefits the department offers its staff are:
- Dental and vision insurance coverage
- Stipend to learn another language to use on the job
- Employee assistance program
- Free health and wellness services, such as a flu shot
- Retirement savings plan
- Rental assistance
- Health and life insurance
- Uniforms and equipment
- Temporary housing
7. Baltimore Police Department
Size: 1,001–5,000 employees
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Salary: $70, 226 per year
Description:
The Baltimore Police Department is the 8th largest municipal police department in the nation, having been founded in 1853. The department offers its staff members access to The Officer Safety & Wellness Section (OSW) in order to help teams care for their physical and mental health. The OSW provides resources such as setting and maintaining fitness goals and using the critical incidents team for additional support.
Additionally, the department created an early intervention team to monitor officers and ensure they are behaving properly on duty. The Baltimore Police Department offers its officers a number of benefits, including:
- Retirement plan
- Health, dental, vision and prescription insurance coverage
- Paid academy and field training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Uniforms and equipment
- Medical and vacation leave
8. San Jose Police Department
Size: 1,001–5,000 employees
Location: San Jose, California
Salary: $122,383 per year
Description: health and dental insurance, vacation and sick pay, and a retirement plan.
The San Jose Police Department was founded in 1849. It works to protect civilians and promote public safety, while creating and maintaining a strong community partnership. The force has 11 distinct divisions and more than 50 specialized assignments. There are a variety of specialized assignments which include SWAT, traffic enforcement, school resources and air support. The department works to uphold the five values of integrity, courage, excellence, service, diversity, innovation and respect. The San Jose Police Department offers its officers benefits, including: health and dental insurance, vacation and sick pay, and a retirement plan.
- Paid academy training
- Paid vacation and sick days
- Annual uniform allowance
- Bilingual pay
- Four-day work week and 10-hour days
- Medical and dental insurance plans
- Retirement plans
9. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Size: 1,001–5,000 employees
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Salary: $65,701 per year
Description:
Founded in 1973, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is committed to prevention, professional services and partnerships. The department’s goal is to ensure a safe environment for the community, protect civilians from harm and provide additional community support as needed. The department also offers its staff members resources to help prepare them for the written and oral board examination and fitness preparation.
The department offers its employees a number of benefits, including programs designed to help ensure that staff members meet the physical standards of the job and have a deep understanding of law enforcement and their role.
- Vacation and sick days
- Paid holidays
- Health, vision and dental insurance plans
- Education incentives
- Bilingual pay
- Clothing allowance
- Supplemental insurance and cafeteria plans
- Retirement savings plans
10. Metro Nashville Police Department
Size: 1,001–5,000 employees
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Salary: $63,029 per year
Description:
Founded in 1963, the Metro Nashville Police Department works to protect the city and its community by providing general police services as well as supplemental safety resources to events and schools. These additional services include making fingerprint cards, reporting a crash online, and hiring an off-duty police officer.
competitive pay, flexible work hours, and job stability.
The Metro Nashville Police Department offers a variety of services to the Nashville community, including addressing non-construction noise complaints and requesting officers for non-emergency assistance. Citizens can also apply to be school crossing guards online. The Metro Nashville Police Department offers its officers competitive pay and flexible work hours, as well as job stability.
- Overtime pay
- 34 paid days off, including holidays, sick days and vacation days
- Health, dental and life insurance plans
- Optional visional insurance plans
- Uniform maintenance and equipment allowance
11. Aurora Police Department
Size: 501–1,000 employees
Location: Aurora, Colorado
Salary: $68,482 per year
Description:
The Aurora Police Department was founded in 1907 and its goal is to help provide the community with safety resources. In addition to daily law enforcement duties, a variety of services are offered to city residents, such as a program to keep the city clean, a form to book an event or facility and a resource section for neighborhood planning. The department values its officers’ and staffs’ mental health and well-being while ensuring it serves with dignity and respect. Some benefits the Aurora Police Department offers its officers include:
- Uniform allowance yearly
- Personal, sick and vacation leave
- Paid holidays
- Health, dental and vision insurance plans
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement plans
- In-service training annually
12. Chicago Police Department
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Salary: $84,623 per year
Description:
Founded in 1830, the Chicago Police Department has several officers and other law enforcement staff members who serve to protect their communities and help the community members. They can also work at community events, government buildings and in schools around the city as protection and a resource for the organizations. The department offers its employees a retirement plan, health and dental insurance, vacation and sick time.
The website of the Chicago Police Department provides valuable resources for citizens, such as how to prevent vehicle theft, viewing police arrest records, or submitting a complaint or compliment to the department. Among the benefits that the Chicago Police Department offers its officers are a retirement plan, health and dental insurance, and vacation and sick time.
- 20 paid vacation and personal days
- Retirement and pension plans
- Medical, health, dental and vision insurance plans
- Tuition reimbursement plans
13. New Orleans Police Department
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Salary: $56,566 per year
Description:
The New Orleans Police Department was founded in 1796 and strives to protect the city and community members by enforcing the law and providing safety resources. They can work public and private events to protect attendees or patrol streets to ensure civilians are adhering to speed limits and city laws.
The New Orleans Police Department’s website has a salary calculator for law enforcement professionals to estimate their expected salary. The New Orleans Police Department offers its officers and other law enforcement staff members a variety of benefits, including:
- State certified law enforcement training programs
- Free life insurance
- Health, dental and vision insurance plans
- Retirement plans
- 10 paid holidays
- Paid sick and personal days
- Yearly uniform allowance
- Annual paid bonuses for individuals who have a higher education degree
14. Dallas Police Department
Size: 1,001–5,000 employees
Location: Dallas, Texas
Salary: $65,717 per year
Description:
The Dallas Police Department was founded in 1881 and works to protect, investigate and serve the members of their community. The department offers officers a variety of career advancement opportunities to grow within the organization. Officers can work in educational facilities and monitor large public events to ensure the safety of the members.
The Dallas Police Department expects all of its staff members to adhere to its code of conduct and act professionally while on the job. The department offers many benefits to its officers and other law enforcement staff members, including:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vacation, personal and sick leave days
- Education and certification pay
- Language skills pay
- Health, dental and vision insurance plans
- Life insurance plans
- Retirement plan
- Annual training programs
15. Oregon
This data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A police officer in Oregon earns $65,890. The highest paying region is Salem, Oregon where a police officer earns $69,440. The salary depends on many factors like certifications, additional skills, level of education and the number of years spent in service. On average, a police officer in Oregon earns $32.11 per hour.
16. Connecticut
According to WalletHub analysis, Connecticut is the 6th safest state in the US. The average salary for police officers in Connecticut is $65,950. The highest-paid region is non-metro areas where an officer is paid $68,810. In some larger cities like Bridgeport and Hartford, the salaries are very close. A top-level police officer can earn as high as $96,000 while a senior-level police officer earns $80,920.
17. New York
In New York, the average salary for a police officer is $69,140 per year. However, those working around the New York Metro area earn about $77,000 per year on average. The highest-paid regions for police officers are Suffolk and Nassau counties where the average annual salary is $97,910. According to WalletHub, NY has the 5th highest number of law enforcement officers in the country. When a police officer remains in the job for more than 5 years, he gets a steady growth in pay. Apart from salary, being a police officer in New York comes with many perks and benefits.
The package includes paid sick leave and retirement funds. In addition, compensation includes holiday pay, longevity pay, and uniform allowance.
18. New York
Officers receive an average salary of $69,140 per year. Those working around the New York Metro area earn about $77,000 p.a. The highest-paid regions are Suffolk and Nassau counties where a police officer earns $97,910. According to WalletHub, NY has the 5th highest number of law enforcement officers in the country. When a police officer remains in the job for more than 5 years, he gets a steady growth in pay. Apart from salary, being a police officer in New York comes with many perks and benefits. The package includes paid sick leave and retirement funds. On the other hand, compensation includes holiday pay, longevity pay, and uniform allowance.
19. Illinois
The average salary for an officer in Illinois is $69,910. Compared to the rest of the state, those in Elgin Metropolitan area receive a higher salary of $75,270. Those in Cook Country area receive even more. After graduating from Cadets, the starting salary of an officer is $57,708.
20. Nevada
The average salary for police officers in the United States is $71,330. In Henderson, Paradise, and Las Vegas, the average salary for police officers is $76,000. This means that all law enforcement officers in these three cities make more than $70,000 per year, which is more than 21% of the national average. The highest-paid police officers are those at the top level, who earn an average of $95,510 per year. Senior-level police officers earn an average of $85,050 per year. These figures vary depending on the level of education, skills, and experience of the individual officer. Unfortunately, Nevada has the highest rate of assault per capita.
21. Washington, D.C
According to WalletHub analysis, the state has the highest number of officers per capita and a high rate of assault. Washington DC offers the worst return on investment because of the high crime. The average salary for officers in the state’s capital is $72,000, while those in metro areas like Alexandria, Washington, and Arlington earn an average of $68,000.
22. Washington
An average salary of $74,170 is earned by a police officer in Washington. The regions with the highest pay for police officers are Bellevue, Seattle, and Everett where an officer earns $82,120 (above the national average). According to the BLS, Washington has the lowest number of law enforcement officers per capita.
23. Alaska
Police officers in Alaska earn an average of $77,230, which ranks the state third in the nation. There are approximately 700,000 police officers nationwide, including detectives, correctional officers, and criminal investigators. Officers working in northern non-metro areas of Alaska earn an average of $81,890. Most police officers are required to graduate from a police academy and to have earned a degree in criminal justice.
24. New Jersey
New Jersey is a populous state, situated close to New York City and other business hubs. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average police officer in New Jersey earns $89,160 per year. Those in the Trenton region earn slightly above the statewide average, at $90,980 per year. Top-level police officers can earn up to $123,890 per year, while senior-level officers earn $105,490 on average. Police officers at entry-level positions earn $45,370 annually, while junior-level officers earn $59,050 per year, on average. Officers of the law tend to earn more in Oakland, Alpine, Howell Township, and other non-metro areas.
25. California
In California, police officers earn an average salary of $93,550, which is 52.7% higher than the national average. In Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose, police officers earn an average salary of $114,520 per year. It is worth mentioning that the cost of living in California is relatively high. Some of the highest paying police jobs in California can reach up to $138,970 per year.
14 other high-paying police departments
Here is a list of additional high-paying police departments:
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- Ponderay Police Department
- Henry County Police Department
- Kansas City Kansas Police Department
- St. Paul Police Department
- Lafayette Police Department
- Chesapeake Police Department
- Anchorage Police Department
- Tuscaloosa Police Department
- Miami Police Department
- Durham Police Department
- Chamblee Police Department
- Rochester Police Department
- Virginia Beach Police Department
- Winston-Salem Police Department
