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Special police salary
Average special police salary
$41,873
Understanding Special Police Salaries
The average salary for a Special Police officer in the United States is approximately $41,873 per year, translating to about $20 per hour. Various factors influence these figures, including experience, location, and specific job responsibilities. For instance, entry-level positions may start lower, while seasoned officers can earn significantly more.
Factors Affecting Salary
Experience levels greatly impact earnings. For example, those with 5-10 years in the field may see a salary increase, reflecting their valuable skills and contributions. Furthermore, geographic location plays a critical role in salary variations. Cities like New York and Los Angeles are known to offer higher compensation due to the cost of living and demand for law enforcement personnel.
Opportunities for Growth
Special Police officers also have avenues for advancement within the field, moving into supervisory or specialized roles that command higher salaries. Understanding these dynamics not only helps current officers evaluate their careers but also assists job seekers in making informed decisions about their future in law enforcement.
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Where can a Special Police earn more?
Special police salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level special police | $33,000 | $15.88 |
| Mid-level special police | $43,700 | $21.00 |
| Senior-level special police | $53,100 | $25.53 |
Average special police salary by state
The average special police salary in North Dakota, Connecticut, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average special police salary states are Nebraska, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special polices
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $53,170 | $25.56 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $49,126 | $23.62 |
| 3 | New York | $51,714 | $24.86 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $46,264 | $22.24 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $54,239 | $26.08 |
| 6 | California | $47,993 | $23.07 |
| 7 | Washington | $50,307 | $24.19 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $45,303 | $21.78 |
| 9 | Colorado | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $44,471 | $21.38 |
| 11 | Illinois | $43,355 | $20.84 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $40,736 | $19.58 |
| 13 | Oregon | $46,855 | $22.53 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $44,499 | $21.39 |
| 15 | Iowa | $44,947 | $21.61 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $42,994 | $20.67 |
| 17 | Indiana | $42,815 | $20.58 |
| 18 | Ohio | $40,005 | $19.23 |
| 19 | Michigan | $40,791 | $19.61 |
| 20 | Nevada | $41,460 | $19.93 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| 22 | Arizona | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| 23 | Vermont | $42,655 | $20.51 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $39,126 | $18.81 |
| 25 | District of Columbia | $46,005 | $22.12 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $40,964 | $19.69 |
| 27 | Alaska | $39,947 | $19.21 |
| 28 | Montana | $39,232 | $18.86 |
| 29 | Delaware | $40,503 | $19.47 |
| 30 | Utah | $37,811 | $18.18 |
| 31 | Missouri | $36,814 | $17.70 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $39,554 | $19.02 |
| 33 | Maryland | $40,876 | $19.65 |
| 34 | Maine | $39,453 | $18.97 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $38,779 | $18.64 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $33,423 | $16.07 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $34,583 | $16.63 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $33,795 | $16.25 |
| 40 | Florida | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| 41 | Virginia | $39,734 | $19.10 |
| 42 | Alabama | $36,782 | $17.68 |
| 43 | Texas | $38,823 | $18.66 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $35,411 | $17.02 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $34,435 | $16.56 |
| 46 | Idaho | $36,698 | $17.64 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $32,520 | $15.63 |
| 48 | Georgia | $33,987 | $16.34 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $33,260 | $15.99 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $30,481 | $14.65 |
| 51 | Kansas | $32,086 | $15.43 |
Highest paying cities for special polices
The highest-paying cities for special polices are Washington, DC, Springfield, MA, and Norfolk, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $45,983 | $22.11 |
| 2 | Springfield, MA | $44,677 | $21.48 |
| 3 | Norfolk, VA | $39,452 | $18.97 |
| 4 | Charlotte, NC | $34,274 | $16.48 |
Special police salary details
A special police's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $52,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special police's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $41,873 | $3,489 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
Highest paying special police jobs
The highest paying types of special polices are police officer, armed guard, and military police.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unarmed Security Guard | $32,946 | $2,746 | $15.84 | 99,613 |
| Public Safety Officer | $36,596 | $3,050 | $17.59 | 122,048 |
| Enforcement Officer | $38,446 | $3,204 | $18.48 | 82,142 |
| Security Supervisor | $41,818 | $3,485 | $20.10 | 87,236 |
| Protection Security Officer | $35,926 | $2,994 | $17.27 | 122,427 |
| Security Guard | $31,983 | $2,665 | $15.38 | 101,728 |
Which companies pay special polices the most?
Special police salaries at The George Washington University and Inter-Con Security Systems are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special police salary at companies like City of Louisville and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The George Washington University | $45,239 | $21.75 |
| 2 | Inter-Con Security Systems | $44,119 | $21.21 |
| 3 | City of Louisville | $43,595 | $20.96 |
| 4 | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority | $43,176 | $20.76 |
| 5 | Washington National Insurance Company | $42,711 | $20.53 |
| 6 | Elizabeth River Ferry | $42,383 | $20.38 |
| 7 | Atrium Health Floyd | $41,351 | $19.88 |
| 8 | CIS Group | $40,382 | $19.41 |
| 9 | paragon Co. | $40,266 | $19.36 |
| 10 | Borough Of Chambersburg | $40,136 | $19.30 |
| 11 | Children's National Medical Center | $40,017 | $19.24 |
| 12 | Preeminent Protective Services | $39,899 | $19.18 |
| 13 | G4S | $38,658 | $18.59 |
| 14 | G4s Secure Solutions International Inc. | $38,525 | $18.52 |
| 15 | Allied Universal | $38,468 | $18.49 |
| 16 | Wegmans Food Markets | $36,156 | $17.38 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special Police salary by industry
The average special police salary varies across industries:
- The average special police salary in the transportation industry is $42,265, the highest of any industry.
- The average special police salary in the finance industry is $40,632.
- Special polices in the utilities industry earn an average salary of $38,582, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for special polices
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | $42,265 | $20.32 |
| 2 | Government | $40,632 | $19.53 |
| 3 | Professional | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 4 | Utilities | $38,582 | $18.55 |
High paying special police jobs
Special police salary trends
The average special police salary has risen by $7,226 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special police earned $34,647 annually, but today, they earn $41,873 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for special polices over the last decade.
Compare special police salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special police salary over time
Compare special police salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special police salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,900 | $20.13 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $40,300 | $19.40 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $39,200 | $18.85 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $39,000 | $18.75 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $38,100 | $18.33 | +2.3% |
Recently added special police salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job Listingsallied Universal | Special Police Officer-Basic Law Enforcement Training Required | Raleigh, NC | 06/29/2025 | $65,574 |
| Allied Universal | Special Police Security Professional-Armed DC SPO Required | Washington, DC | 06/19/2025 | $69,184 |
| Allied Universal Security | Special Police Officer-Basic Law Enforcement Training Required | Raleigh, NC | 06/18/2025 | $66,638 |
| Washington Nationals | Special Police Officer (SPO) | Washington, DC | 06/09/2025 | $36,523 |
| Monumental Sports & Entertainment | Special Police Officer | Washington, DC | 06/09/2025 | $44,516 |
| MLB | Special Police Officer (SPO) | Washington, DC | 06/08/2025 | $36,523 |
| Monumental Sports & Entertainment | Special Police Officer | Washington, DC | 05/26/2025 | $44,516 |
| Allied Universal | Special Police Officer-Basic Law Enforcement Training Required | Raleigh, NC | 05/25/2025 | $66,638 |
| Monumental Sports & Entertainment | Special Police Officer | Ione, WA | 05/24/2025 | $44,516 |
| Securitas Inc. | Armed Special Police Officer | Washington, DC | 05/22/2025 | $55,890 |
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