Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Washington
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Washington earn a median annual wage of $102,080 —33.9% above the national median of $76,210. That ranks WA #2 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.60× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $118,880 | $57.15 | 65,940 | 0.84 |
| 2 | Washington | $102,080 | $49.08 | 9,160 | 0.60 |
| 3 | Illinois | $100,520 | $48.33 | 29,180 | 1.11 |
| 4 | Alaska | $99,130 | $47.66 | 1,260 | 0.90 |
| 5 | Colorado | $97,350 | $46.81 | 9,610 | 0.78 |
| 6 | Delaware | $92,970 | $44.70 | 1,800 | 0.86 |
| 7 | New York | $92,790 | $44.61 | 53,470 | 1.28 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $92,610 | $44.53 | 21,780 | 1.18 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $88,650 | $42.62 | 4,720 | 1.56 |
| 10 | Oregon | $88,140 | $42.38 | 5,030 | 0.59 |
Related occupations in Washington
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.
| Occupation | Washington median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $47,100 | $38,020 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $94,520 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,770 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $115,790 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Washington?
The median annual wage for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington is $102,080, or $49.08 per hour. That is 33.9% above the national median of $76,210.
What is the entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in Washington?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $79,120 per year ($38.04/hour). The 25th percentile is $92,930.
How many people work as police and sheriff's patrol officers in Washington?
About 9,160 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 2.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Washington a good state for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
Washington ranks #2 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.60x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Washington.
Which state pays police and sheriff's patrol officers the most?
California has the highest median wage at $118,880 per year, followed by Washington ($102,080) and Illinois ($100,520).