Police officer pay
What police officers earn — and take home — in 2026
Policing pays a solid middle-class-to-upper wage with strong benefits and an early pension. The BLS puts the median police and detective at $77,270 (May 2024). Base salary climbs with rank (officer to sergeant to lieutenant) and seniority, and the real number on a W-2 is often higher once overtime, court time and special details are counted.
Where an officer's paycheck goes
On the $77,270 median, a single officer pays federal income tax in the 12%–22% brackets after the standard deduction, plus FICA where applicable. Pension contributions (commonly 7%–12% of pay) and union dues come out on top, but the pension is a major part of the total compensation package.
The highest-paying states for officers
Average pay runs highest in California, New Jersey, Washington, New York and Illinois. Because California and New Jersey tax income heavily while Washington does not, compare departments on take-home, not headline salary.
Compare law enforcement with other careers
See how officer pay compares with a registered nurse or accountant, or check your exact net in Texas.
Questions
Police Officer Salary Calculator FAQ
How much does a police officer make in 2026?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $77,270 for police and detectives (May 2024). Base pay rises with rank and seniority, and overtime, court appearances, holiday pay and special details commonly add thousands more. The top 10% of officers and detectives earn over $120,000.
What is a police officer's take-home pay on $77,270?
A single officer earning the $77,270 median takes home roughly $61,000 to $62,000 a year after federal income tax and FICA in a no-income-tax state. Most officers also contribute to a public pension, which lowers take-home but funds an often-generous retirement after 20–25 years of service.
Do police officers pay into Social Security?
It varies by department. Many state and local officers are covered by a public pension system and, in some jurisdictions, do not pay the 6.2% Social Security tax (they still pay Medicare). This calculator applies full FICA by default; if your department is non-Social-Security, your actual deductions are lower than shown.
Which states pay police officers the most?
California, New Jersey, Washington, New York and Illinois report the highest average officer pay. California and New Jersey also have high state income tax, while Washington has none — so a Washington department can deliver more take-home than its salary alone suggests.
- Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Police and Detectives (median $77,270, May 2024) · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base · State departments of revenue.
- 🔄 Last updated June 9, 2026 · Tax year 2026
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