Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$76,210/yr
Typical range
$59,290 – $97,600
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers does
You patrol communities, respond to calls, enforce laws, and provide public safety services as first responders. Your daily work ranges from community engagement to emergency response.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Security Guards — $38,020/yr
- Customs and Border Protection Officers — $76,210/yr
- Correctional Officers and Jailers — $58,940/yr
- Firefighters — $59,280/yr
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $33,580/yr
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