Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median Salary
72,280
Job Outlook
+3%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of police and detectives is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 63,000 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$41,080

10%

$72,280

Median

$113,460

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    40%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    21%

  • Associate's degree

    17%

  • Some college

    14%

  • Bachelor's degree

    6%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Criminalistics and Criminal Science
  • Criminal Justice/Police Science
  • Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
  • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
  • Critical Incident Response/Special Police Operations
  • Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
  • Protective Services Operations

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Leadership

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Psychology
  • Law and Government
  • Education and Training

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test