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Occupation · SOC 33-3051

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

There are 670,520 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $76,210 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Protective ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
670,520
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$76,210
Median pay a year
Middle half: $59,290–$97,600
51,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.5%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 388 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $105,540 · LCA filings 054,270$105,5400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $121,980 · LCA filings 024,720$121,9800
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $107,810 · LCA filings 022,680$107,8100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $92,910 · LCA filings 016,430$92,9100
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $74,570 · LCA filings 016,250$74,5700
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $79,840 · LCA filings 014,710$79,8400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $84,000 · LCA filings 014,630$84,0000
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $89,580 · LCA filings 013,160$89,5800
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $78,180 · LCA filings 011,440$78,1800
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $60,910 · LCA filings 011,310$60,9100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 2,590 · LCA filings 0$136,1402,5900
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 7,990 · LCA filings 0$132,0007,9900
Carson City, NVEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$131,2101100
Vallejo, CAEmployment 690 · LCA filings 0$129,9006900
Napa, CAEmployment 300 · LCA filings 0$127,3103000

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $73,798 · Level III $92,747 · Level IV $111,675$54,870$73,798$92,747$111,675
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $98,280 · Level III $112,174 · Level IV $126,090$84,365$98,280$112,174$126,090
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $87,090 · Level III $99,112 · Level IV $111,114$75,088$87,090$99,112$111,114
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $77,438 · Level III $87,027 · Level IV $96,595$67,870$77,438$87,027$96,595
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $65,541 · Level III $74,173 · Level IV $82,826$56,888$65,541$74,173$82,826
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $74,339 · Level III $84,677 · Level IV $95,035$63,981$74,339$84,677$95,035
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $76,294 · Level III $87,006 · Level IV $97,698$65,603$76,294$87,006$97,698
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $73,715 · Level III $86,778 · Level IV $99,861$60,632$73,715$86,778$99,861
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $73,819 · Level III $83,408 · Level IV $92,976$64,251$73,819$83,408$92,976
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $56,826 · Level III $63,253 · Level IV $69,659$50,419$56,826$63,253$69,659

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCIP 43.01OPT · up to 12 months800OPT · up to 12 months
CriminologyCIP 45.04OPT · up to 12 months174OPT · up to 12 months

See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in every metro area

All 388 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Protective Service

Security GuardsLifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersCorrectional Officers and JailersFirefightersProtective Service Workers, All OtherCrossing Guards and FlaggersSchool Bus MonitorsFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology