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.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
SOC: 33-3051 O*NET: 33-3051.00
Median Salary
$76,290
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
53.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$47,640
10th percentile
Early Career
$58,980
25th percentile
Median
$76,290
50th percentile
Experienced
$97,190
75th percentile
Top Earners
$115,280
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$47,640
25th
$58,980
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$76,290
Mean: $79,320
75th
$97,190
90th
$115,280
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $67,640 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $58,980 and $97,190
- •Salary spread is 50.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 666,990 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:698,800
Top Industries
Educational Services0.8%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools0.7%
Hospitals0.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.1%
Annual Openings:53,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)698,800
Current
2034 (Projected)720,800
+3.1%
+22,000
Employment Change
+3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
65,170 jobs$115,4000.83x
Texas
62,230 jobs$76,3501.04x
New York
54,360 jobs$93,0501.32x
Florida
48,340 jobs$76,1901.14x
Illinois
29,790 jobs$101,5301.14x
Pennsylvania
24,280 jobs$86,3500.93x
Ohio
24,050 jobs$77,0501.01x
North Carolina
21,650 jobs$58,0301.02x
New Jersey
21,620 jobs$89,0301.18x
Georgia
21,540 jobs$56,3501.03x
Virginia
19,400 jobs$65,1101.10x
Massachusetts
17,000 jobs$78,6101.08x
Michigan
16,290 jobs$74,4200.86x
Louisiana
14,340 jobs$50,5801.73x
Tennessee
13,780 jobs$59,4100.97x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Reading Comprehension
66%
#7
Persuasion
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.3
66%
Persuasion
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Bartenders82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Opticians, Dispensing82%
5 shared skills
Public Safety Telecommunicators82%
5 shared skills
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Transportation Security Screeners82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Persuasion
- →Coordination
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Learning
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visio
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals typically have a RCE Holland code and highly value achievement
RRealistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.90
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.78
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.77
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.72
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.65
Leadership
CriticalLeadership
Importance Level4.56
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.7
Leadership
4.6
Concern for Others
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Persistence
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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