Officers, detectives, and civilian staff who keep communities safe, from patrol cops and state troopers to crime analysts.
Top pay: highest pay, longest training
Police Chief: The top leader of a police department, responsible for crime strategy, budgets, and public trust. Typical pay $135k.
Sheriff: The elected top law enforcement officer of a county, usually running the county jail and patrol. Typical pay $115k.
Police Lieutenant / Captain: A mid-level police commander who runs a shift, a precinct, or a specialized division. Typical pay $120k.
Police Psychologist: A psychologist who screens police and firefighter candidates, counsels officers after traumatic events, and advises on crisis situations. Typical pay $120k.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Police Patrol Officer: Patrols a community, responds to 911 calls, and enforces laws. Typical pay $76k.
Sheriff's Deputy: Enforces the law for a county sheriff's office, often patrolling rural areas or working in the jail. Typical pay $66k.
State Trooper: Patrols highways and assists rural areas as part of a state police force. Typical pay $78k.
Detective: Investigates crimes like burglary, fraud, or assault to identify and arrest suspects. Typical pay $95k.
Homicide Detective: Investigates killings, from the crime scene to the arrest and trial. Typical pay $105k.
Cybercrime Detective: Investigates crimes committed online, such as hacking, scams, sextortion, and child exploitation. Typical pay $92k.
Police Sergeant: Supervises a squad of officers on patrol, reviewing their work and leading at scenes. Typical pay $105k.
School Resource Officer: A police officer assigned to a school to keep it safe and build relationships with students. Typical pay $74k.
Transit Police Officer: Patrols subways, trains, buses, and stations to keep riders and rail lines safe. Typical pay $80k.
Tribal Police Officer: Enforces laws on Native American reservations for a tribal nation. Typical pay $58k.
Traffic Crash Reconstructionist: Uses physics and evidence to figure out exactly how a serious car crash happened. Typical pay $88k.
Crime Analyst: Studies crime data to find patterns and help police decide where and how to focus. Typical pay $72k.
Constable: An elected or appointed peace officer, common in Texas and a few other states, who serves court papers, enforces warrants, and patrols a precinct. Typical pay $65k.
Campus Police Officer: A sworn officer who patrols a college or university campus, responding to crimes, emergencies, and student safety concerns. Typical pay $64k.
Internal Affairs Investigator: A police detective who investigates complaints and misconduct by other officers. Typical pay $94k.
Civilian Police Oversight Investigator: A civilian who independently investigates complaints against police for an oversight board or police auditor. Typical pay $72k.
Airport Police Officer: Patrols a major airport: terminals, curbs, runways and cargo areas, responding to everything from lost kids to unruly passengers and security breaches. Typical pay $78k.
Cold Case Investigator: Reopens unsolved murders and missing-person cases from years ago, using new DNA, genealogy, and fresh eyes on old files. Typical pay $92k.
Starter: fastest way in
Community Service Officer: A non-sworn police employee who takes reports, directs traffic, and handles minor calls. Typical pay $48k.
Parking Enforcement Officer: Patrols streets and lots, writing tickets for parking violations and helping direct traffic. Typical pay $47k.
Crossing Guard: Helps kids and pedestrians cross busy streets safely near schools. Typical pay $37k.
Animal Control Officer: Rescues stray, injured, or dangerous animals and enforces animal laws. Typical pay $46k.
Police Records Specialist: Manages police reports, arrest records, and public records requests. Typical pay $46k.
Body-Worn Camera Video Redaction Specialist: Reviews police body-camera and dash-cam video and blurs faces, addresses, and private details before footage is released to the public or court. Typical pay $46k.
Reserve Police Officer: A trained, sworn officer who works part-time shifts for a police department while holding another job. Typical pay $30k.
Police Academy Recruit: A newly hired trainee who is paid to attend the police academy before becoming a sworn officer. Typical pay $52k.
Police Chaplain: A clergy member who supports officers after traumatic calls and helps deliver death notifications to families. Typical pay $45k.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.