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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

General Information

Description

Maintain 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.

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Job Outlook

Employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. While a continued desire for public safety is expected to result in a need for more officers, demand for employment is expected to vary depending on location, driven largely by local and state budgets. Even with crime rates falling in recent years, demand for police services to maintain and improve public safety is expected to continue.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. While a continued desire for public safety is expected to result in a need for more officers, demand for employment is expected to vary depending on location, driven largely by local and state budgets. Even with crime rates falling in recent years, demand for police services to maintain and improve public safety is expected to continue.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$63,150

Military salary*

$54,880

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$108,840
$33,980
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Education

Related College Majors

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Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Psychology
  • Law and Government
  • Education and Training
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.