Overview
SourcedMaintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
O*NET definition of Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 33-3051, including Border Patrol Agent, Campus / University Police Officer, CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection), Deputy Sheriff.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) naming each level as required to be hired, 37 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedThe education typically required to enter the occupation ranges from a high school diploma to a college degree. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency's training academy before completing on-the-job training. Other requirements vary, but candidates usually must be at least 21 years old and able to meet rigorous physical and personal qualifications.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Police and Detectives”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 33-3051
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Medium Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialRank and step: paramilitary rank × time-in-service step (officer → sergeant → lieutenant → captain …). Typical structure for a state police / highway patrol; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trooper Cadet
- Trooper
- Trooper First Class / Senior Trooper
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel / Superintendent
Source: GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 11,870 | $55,560 | $63,420 | $75,250 | $88,740 | $111,160 |
| State | 68,340 | $56,280 | $67,190 | $84,510 | $102,250 | $126,880 |
| Local | 583,600 | $47,100 | $58,750 | $75,780 | $97,340 | $113,980 |
| All government | 663,800 | $47,610 | $59,370 | $76,300 | $97,620 | $115,270 |
| Private sector | 6,720 | $41,290 | $47,790 | $59,390 | $78,710 | $98,750 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
State government pay plans
Official pay ranges for the job classes that match State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer in 26 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.
| State | Job classes in the state plan | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alea Trooper, Trainee, Alea Trooper, Alea Trooper, Senior 3 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department | $42,094 – $81,725 |
| Arkansas | ASP Trooper 1 class · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management | $67,675 – $100,159 |
| Colorado | State Patrol Trooper Cadet, State Patrol Trooper I–III 4 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR) | $86,064 – $134,352 |
| Connecticut | State Police Trooper, State Police Trooper First Class, State Police Trooper Trainee 3 classes · effective June 27, 2025 · Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources | $76,625 – $119,023 |
| Florida | Florida Highway Patrol Trooper 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management | $35,899 – $127,258 |
| Georgia | Trooper Cadet 1, Trooper Cadet 1 Non Exempt, Trooper, +5 more 10 classes · effective September 17, 2025 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation | $44,010 – $94,460 |
| Idaho | ISP Trooper Recruit, ISP Trooper 2 classes · effective June 8, 2025 · Idaho Division of Human Resources | $54,309 – $120,640 |
| Indiana | ISP Trooper Trainee, ISP Trooper 2 classes · Indiana State Personnel Department | $66,000 – $112,000 |
| Iowa | Trooper 1–3 5 classes · effective June 19, 2026 · Iowa Department of Administrative Services | $60,632 – $109,533 |
| Maine | State Police Trooper 1 class · effective June 28, 2026 · Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources | $67,808 – $94,203 |
| Maryland | MSP Trooper, MSP Trooper I/C 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) | $69,360 – $140,536 |
| Massachusetts | State Police Trooper 1 class · effective July 14, 2024 · Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD) | $80,213 – $100,486 |
| Michigan | State Police Cadet, State Police Trooper-E, State Police Trooper Trainee-E 3 classes · effective October 1, 2025 · Michigan Civil Service Commission | $25,958 – $103,522 |
| Minnesota | State Patrol Trooper 1 class · effective July 2, 2026 · Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) | $79,165 – $108,285 |
| Mississippi | Trooper, Trooper First Class 2 classes · Mississippi State Personnel Board | No fixed rate |
| Nebraska | State Patrol Trooper 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, State Personnel Division | $70,200 – $106,538 |
| New Jersey | Trooper 2–1, State Police Recruit 4 classes · effective July 11, 2026 · New Jersey Civil Service Commission | $71,861 – $131,815 |
| North Carolina | Highway Patrol Trooper, Highway Patrol Trooper (Senior), Highway Patrol Trooper (Master) 3 classes · effective February 1, 2026 · North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) | $50,284 – $90,754 |
| Ohio | Highway Patrol Trooper 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation | $73,320 – $95,680 |
| Oregon | OSP Trooper | $49,392 – $122,904 |
| Pennsylvania | State Police Cadet, State Police Trooper 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration | $41,506 – $130,525 |
| South Dakota | Highway Patrol Trooper 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes | $53,456 – $80,163 |
| Tennessee | Trooper 1 class · effective September 1, 2026 · Tennessee Department of Human Resources | $75,600 – $112,344 |
| Texas | Trooper Trainee, Probationary Trooper, Trooper 3 classes · effective September 1, 2025 · Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team | $51,255 – $98,085 |
| Wisconsin | State Patrol Trooper | $75,462 – $104,333 |
| Wyoming | Highway Patrol Trooper I–III 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division | $60,986 – $116,397 |
Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Sources: 26 official state pay plans, linked in each row.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.4.7
- Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.4.7
- Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.4.5
- Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.4.5
- Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.4.5
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.4.4
- Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.4.4
- Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.4.4
- Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.4.3
- Investigate traffic accidents and other accidents to determine causes and to determine if a crime has been committed.4.3
The 10 most important of 25 core tasks for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams by name
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State Officer Certification Examination (SOCE) Law Enforcement, Corrections and Correctional Probation versions: 200 questions each (190 graded, 10 field-test), 3 hours; questions drawn from the basic recruit training curriculum. | Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission | FL | licensing | Official page |
| New York State Police Trooper Entrance Examination Two-hour test of 150 multiple-choice questions measuring cognitive abilities plus behavioral characteristics and attitudes; computer-based at Pearson VUE test centers. | New York State Police | New York State Police | written | Official page |
| TCOLE State Licensing Examinations (Basic Peace Officer, Basic County Corrections, Telecommunicator) Peace Officer: 250 questions, 180 minutes; County Corrections: 100 questions, 105 minutes; Telecommunicator: 80 questions, 90 minutes; must be taken within 180 days of completing the basic course. | Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) | TX | licensing | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 65,940 | $76,300 | $118,880 | $153,190 |
| Washington | 9,160 | $79,120 | $102,080 | $132,200 |
| Illinois | 29,180 | $58,420 | $100,520 | $119,560 |
| Alaska | 1,260 | $60,670 | $99,130 | $137,340 |
| Colorado | 9,610 | $65,340 | $97,350 | $109,300 |
| Delaware | 1,800 | $62,470 | $92,970 | $130,870 |
| New York | 53,470 | $53,000 | $92,790 | $118,250 |
| New Jersey | 21,780 | $57,740 | $92,610 | $134,260 |
| District of Columbia | 4,720 | $66,420 | $88,650 | $119,660 |
| Oregon | 5,030 | $66,380 | $88,140 | $109,350 |
| Pennsylvania | 26,510 | $48,680 | $85,470 | $109,780 |
| Hawaii | 2,420 | $77,480 | $83,820 | $108,110 |
| Minnesota | 9,160 | $60,670 | $83,360 | $106,160 |
| Connecticut | 6,500 | $63,310 | $82,170 | $102,660 |
| Massachusetts | 17,040 | $61,160 | $78,940 | $108,150 |
| Arizona | 12,010 | $60,990 | $78,880 | $98,560 |
| Nevada | 5,720 | $62,250 | $78,140 | $102,810 |
| Wisconsin | 12,320 | $58,530 | $78,090 | $94,450 |
| Maryland | 9,720 | $58,580 | $77,970 | $113,700 |
| Utah | 5,500 | $60,290 | $77,310 | $99,920 |
| Rhode Island | 1,940 | $59,020 | $77,230 | $91,760 |
| Ohio | 23,430 | $51,110 | $77,020 | $103,210 |
| Texas | 63,100 | $51,240 | $75,900 | $98,350 |
| Nebraska | 3,490 | $54,680 | $74,620 | $95,210 |
| North Dakota | 1,630 | $58,620 | $74,500 | $91,440 |
| Florida | 43,630 | $51,330 | $74,470 | $98,190 |
| Iowa | 5,130 | $59,360 | $74,470 | $101,520 |
| Michigan | 16,750 | $47,780 | $73,730 | $89,220 |
| Indiana | 12,980 | $52,170 | $73,370 | $100,010 |
| New Hampshire | 2,460 | $57,930 | $71,640 | $89,940 |
| Montana | 2,160 | $55,330 | $70,050 | $84,150 |
| New Mexico | 4,580 | $48,400 | $69,180 | $85,740 |
| Vermont | 1,020 | $53,950 | $68,910 | $95,530 |
| Maine | 2,120 | $55,930 | $67,050 | $91,270 |
| Idaho | 2,810 | $48,840 | $66,990 | $97,980 |
| Wyoming | 1,310 | $57,130 | $66,140 | $76,840 |
| Virginia | 19,970 | $50,000 | $65,870 | $96,820 |
| South Dakota | 2,000 | $47,540 | $60,740 | $91,900 |
| Kentucky | 7,890 | $38,780 | $60,490 | $77,970 |
| Oklahoma | 9,660 | $36,480 | $59,700 | $94,940 |
| Missouri | 13,570 | $43,210 | $59,460 | $90,770 |
| North Carolina | 22,370 | $46,040 | $59,300 | $80,240 |
| Tennessee | 15,630 | $43,520 | $59,280 | $79,480 |
| Kansas | 6,130 | $42,040 | $59,230 | $90,530 |
| Georgia | 22,170 | $43,690 | $58,120 | $76,250 |
| South Carolina | 12,930 | $45,060 | $58,070 | $78,760 |
| West Virginia | 2,900 | $41,950 | $56,960 | $69,980 |
| Alabama | 11,710 | $37,480 | $51,270 | $77,220 |
| Louisiana | 12,400 | $36,470 | $48,380 | $69,140 |
| Arkansas | 5,710 | $35,210 | $47,670 | $70,190 |
| Mississippi | 8,070 | $33,230 | $46,140 | $61,550 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan/tier and formula, retirement age/years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b), PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union, current CBA (source link, effective dates)
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonus, inter-agency moves
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedL4 directory: every employer that hires this job, each with its own facet values