Police officer salaries vary widely depending on the country, state, experience, and department size. In the United States:
- The average annual salary for a police officer is approximately $54,900 to $68,937, with some sources citing an average around $62,000 to $74,910 depending on location and experience
- Entry-level officers may start at about $27,400 annually, while experienced officers in large cities or top-paying states like California can earn up to $113,460 per year
- Some states with the highest average salaries include Washington ($70,389), District of Columbia ($70,229), and New York ($67,992)
- Salaries often come with additional benefits such as overtime, health insurance, and retirement plans
In the United Kingdom:
- The average police officer salary ranges from about £29,000 (€35,337) to just under £34,000 annually, with officers exceeding this after around three years of service
Example from a city:
- In Atlanta, Georgia, the starting salary for a police officer is about $60,987 as of 2025
Overall, police officer pay depends heavily on geographic location, rank, and experience, with higher salaries generally found in larger cities and certain states in the U.S.
