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When it comes to job satisfaction, salary consistently ranks as a critical factor for most individuals. Many people wonder, “What is the average salary for deputy sheriffs in my area?”
While numerous factors influence expected earnings, comprehensive data on average police officer salaries by state provides valuable insights, especially when broken down by experience level. Although local salaries may vary, these averages serve as a useful benchmark.
To gain a clearer picture of police officer salaries across the United States, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) regarding average pay for police officers by state.
Moreover, we factored in the cost of living in each state, recognizing that a salary stretches further in some areas than others—like North Carolina versus California.
After these adjustments, California emerges as the state offering the highest average salary for police officers. Below is a quick overview of the top ten states for police officer salaries:
Let’s delve into the methodology behind these findings and explore a comprehensive ranking of salaries by state.
How We Determined Police Officer Pay by State
As previously mentioned, we analyzed average annual salary data for police officers from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically referencing their “Occupational Employment Statistics.”
To ensure a fair comparison across states, we incorporated living wage data as defined by MIT. This allowed us to create a salary index by dividing the average police officer wage in each state by the state’s living wage. For instance, in California, where the living wage is $57,315 and the average police officer salary is $93,550, our index calculation would be:
$93,550 / $57,315 = 1.63
We then ranked all states based on this index, identifying the state with the highest salary index as having the highest average police officer salary.
Here’s a detailed ranking of police officer salaries across all states.
Detailed List of Deputy Sheriff Salaries by State
| Rank | State | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $82,345 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $80,168 |
| 3 | Washington | $72,982 |
| 4 | Alaska | $71,622 |
| 5 | Nevada | $68,287 |
| 6 | Illinois | $67,432 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $64,162 |
| 8 | Oregon | $64,049 |
| 9 | Delaware | $62,445 |
| 10 | Ohio | $61,713 |
| 11 | Colorado | $61,618 |
| 12 | Texas | $61,502 |
| 13 | Arizona | $59,646 |
| 14 | New York | $58,992 |
| 15 | Michigan | $58,593 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $57,415 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $56,383 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $56,257 |
| 19 | Iowa | $56,042 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $55,917 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $55,618 |
| 22 | Florida | $55,488 |
| 23 | Idaho | $55,141 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $54,422 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $53,974 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $53,509 |
| 27 | Maryland | $53,426 |
| 28 | Montana | $53,179 |
| 29 | Rhode Island | $52,866 |
| 30 | Indiana | $52,768 |
| 31 | Utah | $51,343 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $50,901 |
| 33 | Missouri | $50,527 |
| 34 | Virginia | $49,656 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $48,961 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $48,961 |
| 37 | New Hampshire | $48,753 |
| 38 | Kansas | $47,653 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $47,308 |
| 40 | Alabama | $46,680 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $46,465 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $46,169 |
| 43 | Vermont | $45,570 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $43,738 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $43,703 |
| 46 | Maine | $42,854 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $42,254 |
| 48 | Georgia | $41,573 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $40,065 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $36,509 |
As you explore your career options in law enforcement, understanding salary dynamics is crucial. By considering state-specific data and the cost of living, you can make informed decisions about where to pursue a career as a police officer. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance in your career, these insights will help you navigate your path effectively.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
