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Sergeant salary
Average sergeant salary
$48,557
Average Sergeant Salary Overview
The average annual salary for a sergeant in the United States stands at $48,557. However, this figure fluctuates based on several factors such as location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities within law enforcement.
Salary by State
Sergeants in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for law enforcement. For instance, the highest paying states may offer salaries significantly above the national average. It's crucial for sergeants to explore opportunities in various regions.
Experience Matters
Experience level dramatically impacts salary potential. Entry-level sergeants may start closer to the national average, while those with more years of service and specialized training can command significantly higher salaries. This progression is essential for career advancement.
Job Opportunities
In addition to base salaries, sergeants may receive bonuses and benefits that can enhance their overall compensation package. Staying informed about the job market and potential career paths is vital for maximizing earning potential.
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Where can a Sergeant earn more?
Sergeant salaries by experience level
Sergeant salary estimates from across the web
Average sergeant salary by state
The average sergeant salary in New York, Idaho, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average sergeant salary states are Wisconsin, Indiana, and Montana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for sergeants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $67,929 | $32.66 |
| 2 | Maine | $61,013 | $29.33 |
| 3 | Idaho | $65,265 | $31.38 |
| 4 | California | $63,773 | $30.66 |
| 5 | Ohio | $54,052 | $25.99 |
| 6 | Nevada | $56,082 | $26.96 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $60,239 | $28.96 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $54,592 | $26.25 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $55,242 | $26.56 |
| 10 | Delaware | $57,230 | $27.51 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $56,744 | $27.28 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $53,705 | $25.82 |
| 13 | Washington | $52,822 | $25.40 |
| 14 | Iowa | $45,708 | $21.98 |
| 15 | Oregon | $55,846 | $26.85 |
| 16 | Texas | $45,715 | $21.98 |
| 17 | Virginia | $49,484 | $23.79 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $52,324 | $25.16 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $47,478 | $22.83 |
| 20 | Alaska | $50,444 | $24.25 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $47,147 | $22.67 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $42,532 | $20.45 |
| 23 | Illinois | $50,176 | $24.12 |
| 24 | Arizona | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| 25 | Georgia | $40,809 | $19.62 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $41,674 | $20.04 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $48,878 | $23.50 |
| 28 | Utah | $44,485 | $21.39 |
| 29 | Kansas | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| 30 | Florida | $40,354 | $19.40 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $42,573 | $20.47 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $38,443 | $18.48 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $43,536 | $20.93 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $40,555 | $19.50 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $39,444 | $18.96 |
| 36 | Maryland | $39,693 | $19.08 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $40,581 | $19.51 |
| 38 | Alabama | $40,068 | $19.26 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $37,622 | $18.09 |
| 40 | Missouri | $38,446 | $18.48 |
| 41 | Connecticut | $40,706 | $19.57 |
| 42 | Massachusetts | $38,962 | $18.73 |
| 43 | Michigan | $37,771 | $18.16 |
| 44 | Vermont | $34,689 | $16.68 |
| 45 | Colorado | $40,098 | $19.28 |
| 46 | Indiana | $33,276 | $16.00 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $30,789 | $14.80 |
| 48 | Wisconsin | $34,641 | $16.65 |
| 49 | Montana | $32,896 | $15.82 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $30,991 | $14.90 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $31,192 | $15.00 |
Highest paying cities for sergeants
The highest-paying cities for sergeants are New York, NY, Highland, CA, and Jersey City, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $68,391 | $32.88 |
| 2 | Highland, CA | $60,555 | $29.11 |
| 3 | Jersey City, NJ | $60,243 | $28.96 |
| 4 | Manassas, VA | $51,889 | $24.95 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| 6 | Anchorage, AK | $50,347 | $24.21 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| 8 | Montgomery, AL | $40,184 | $19.32 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $40,059 | $19.26 |
| 10 | Baltimore, MD | $39,961 | $19.21 |
| 11 | DeLand, FL | $39,378 | $18.93 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $38,826 | $18.67 |
| 13 | Lawton, OK | $38,334 | $18.43 |
| 14 | Indianapolis, IN | $32,915 | $15.82 |
| 15 | Columbia, SC | $30,770 | $14.79 |
Sergeants are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Sergeant salary details
A sergeant's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $66,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a sergeant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $48,557 | $4,046 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying sergeant jobs
The highest paying types of sergeants are deputy chief of staff, command master chief, and command sergeant major.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Of Police | $77,582 | $6,465 | $37.30 | 69,344 |
| Correctional Sergeant | $37,962 | $3,164 | $18.25 | 72,839 |
| Lieutenant | $47,781 | $3,982 | $22.97 | 79,272 |
| Platoon Sergeant | $95,863 | $7,989 | $46.09 | 357 |
| Police Sergeant | $65,562 | $5,464 | $31.52 | 81,493 |
| Staff Sergeant | $41,479 | $3,457 | $19.94 | 68,521 |
Which companies pay sergeants the most?
Sergeant salaries at Columbia University in the City of New York and Baylor Scott & White Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average sergeant salary at companies like King County and Lawrence General Hospital are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| 2 | Baylor Scott & White Health | $58,906 | $28.32 |
| 3 | King County | $57,687 | $27.73 |
| 4 | Lawrence General Hospital | $57,084 | $27.44 |
| 5 | The City University of New York | $54,669 | $26.28 |
| 6 | Syracuse University | $54,451 | $26.18 |
| 7 | Boston College | $53,841 | $25.89 |
| 8 | Shirley Ryan AbilityLab | $52,579 | $25.28 |
| 9 | Beaumont Health | $51,810 | $24.91 |
| 10 | Federal Reserve Bank | $51,678 | $24.85 |
| 11 | MCPHS University - Boston | $50,975 | $24.51 |
| 12 | Montebello Unified School Dst | $50,779 | $24.41 |
| 13 | Notre Dame of Maryland University | $50,661 | $24.36 |
| 14 | Novant Health | $49,661 | $23.88 |
| 15 | White Plains Hospital | $49,267 | $23.69 |
| 16 | NANA | $47,388 | $22.78 |
| 17 | Eastern Connecticut Health Network (echn) | $46,604 | $22.41 |
| 18 | State Bar of Michigan | $46,483 | $22.35 |
| 19 | Texas Tech University | $46,391 | $22.30 |
| 20 | Yaamava' Resort & Casino | $46,388 | $22.30 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Sergeant salary trends
The average sergeant salary has risen by $7,876 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average sergeant earned $40,681 annually, but today, they earn $48,557 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for sergeants over the last decade.
Compare sergeant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average sergeant salary over time
Compare sergeant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Sergeant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,600 | $23.34 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $47,600 | $22.87 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $46,500 | $22.36 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $45,900 | $22.07 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $44,300 | $21.30 | +3.2% |
Recently added sergeant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capps | Tcole-Sergeant (Investigator VI) | Austin, TX | 06/29/2025 | $82,740 |
| Loyola University of Chicago Inc. | Sergeant | Chicago, IL | 06/28/2025 | $58,436 |
| Six Flags, Corp | Public Safety Sergeant | San Antonio, TX | 06/27/2025 | $34,436 |
| Department of Corrections | Sergeant | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/27/2025 | $49,358 |
| Department of Corrections | Sergeant | Lexington, KY | 06/27/2025 | $49,358 |
| MTC | Sergeant | Panama City, FL | 06/26/2025 | $53,219 |
| San Antonio Regional Hospital | Shift Sergeant | Upland, CA | 06/26/2025 | $48,836 |
| Bergen Community College | Sergeant | Paramus, NJ | 06/24/2025 | $47,194 |
| State of Oklahoma | Sergeant | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/24/2025 | $49,358 |
| The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard | Sergeant | Philadelphia, PA | 06/16/2025 | $41,323 |
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