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Job outlook for field training officers in the United States
Are field training officer jobs in demand?
Field training officer job and salary trends over time
Field training officer jobs over time
Field training officer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,669 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,526 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,481 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,314 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,226 | 0.00% |
Average field training officer salary over time
Field training officer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,001 | $19.23 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $39,050 | $18.77 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $38,833 | $18.67 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $38,508 | $18.51 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $37,653 | $18.10 | +1.4% |
Field training officer jobs by state
Most common states for field training officers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 261 | 35% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,108 | 31% |
| 3 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 510 | 30% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 393 | 29% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 393 | 29% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 180 | 29% |
| 7 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 191 | 28% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,275 | 27% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,433 | 26% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 825 | 26% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,354 | 24% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,369 | 23% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 244 | 23% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,328 | 22% |
| 15 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 190 | 22% |
| 16 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,414 | 21% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,226 | 21% |
| 18 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,018 | 21% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 433 | 21% |
| 20 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 408 | 21% |
Most common cities for field training officers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Brunswick | 1 | 2% | $51,944 |
| 2 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $51,092 |
Field Training Officer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of field training officer experts
University of Georgia
Governors State University
Murray State University
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University
Dr. Latarcia Barnes PhD
Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, Associate ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Field Training Officer?
Dr. Latarcia Barnes PhD: Federal law enforcement is a great profession to enter. There is retirement after 20 years, great career advancement, and great benefits
What will help Field Training Officers increase their earning potential?
Todd Krohn: I would definitely think about doing an internship before you graduate. For many students going into law enforcement or probation and parole, getting an internship while still in school could potentially lead to your first job offer. For those going into the legal world of prosecution or defense, internships in those worlds before law school will help you confirm those are the areas you want to study. Basically, any CJ graduate would benefit from doing an internship, dependent upon the area of the CJ system they are thinking about working in. While most of these are going to be unpaid in the CJ system, the benefits they carry later more than pay off the experience.
Dr. Janet Brewer
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & SociologyGovernors State University
Criminal Justice And Corrections
What general advice would you give to a Field Training Officer?
Dr. Janet Brewer: Market yourself as someone who can increase revenue or decrease workload for that entity. Use your school's alumni network to its fullest.
What Field Training Officer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alaina Steele: People go into the criminal justice field for many different reasons, so be proactive in making sure your employer will provide a suitable work environment and the right kinds of support/development for you to be the type of criminal justice professional you want to be. When applying for jobs, remember that you are interviewing agencies at the same time they are interviewing you. Ask questions that provide you with insight on the things you're looking for in an employer. If possible, talk to people who work or have worked there to find out what they love(d) about their job and colleagues and what they would change. Search online for what an agency's clients or the people who live in the communities they serve have to say about their experiences and recent encounters with the criminal justice professionals at that agency. Take the time to consider if what you find in your research is something that aligns with your personal values and career goals.
Logan Somers Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorGeorgia Southern University
Criminal Justice and Criminology Department
What skills stand out on Field Training Officer resumes?
Logan Somers Ph.D.: Skills and experiences that stand out on Law Enforcement Officer resumes are not too dissimilar from desirable qualities in other industries. First, even though the vast majority of police departments do not have an education requirement beyond high school, most recruits entering the academy do have at least some college experience. Therefore, having an associate's or bachelor's degree will make you competitive. Further, policing in today's society requires officers to be elite communicators, critical thinkers, and problem-solvers. Any prior work experience that can be used to demonstrate how you performed those skills under pressure should be highlighted. Lastly, any prior community service and or mentoring should be included. Having these experiences displays your commitment to improving your community and bettering the lives of those around you.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Field Training Officers?
Logan Somers Ph.D.: A significant portion of an officer's day can often be spent filling out paperwork. Every stop, citation, warrant, arrest, or use of force incident typically requires forms that need to be filled out and sent to supervisors for review. This makes the ability to write proficiently and provide a descriptive narrative of events crucial for day-to-day police work.
Amanda Graham Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorGeorgia Southern University
Criminal Justice & Criminology
What soft skills should all Field Training Officers possess?
Amanda Graham Ph.D.: Verbal Communication - The ability to talk to/hold a conversation with a stranger is essential in the human enterprise of policing. It is one of the best tools and officer has with them to address any situation.
Ethical Decision-Making (Using Discretion Appropriately) - The ability to make the best decision in a given situation is absolutely critical in policing. Not only do officers need to have sound and logical judgment, but also the capacity to make ethically sound decisions helps to prevent the introduction of bias into the criminal justice system.