Salary Outlook
The BLS reports the median annual wage for patrol officers was $54,230 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made $84,980, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $32,080. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, Oakland, and Santa Ana, Calif.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $43,210.00 |
| 2004 | $46,320.00 |
| 2006 | $48,540.00 |
| 2008 | $52,980.00 |
| 2010 | $55,620.00 |
Average Patrol Officer Pay vs. All Social Services Jobs
A patrol officer's take-home pay is comparable to our other Best Social Services Jobs. Although they make less money than most lawyers, they make more than most security guards or maintenance and repair workers do. A patrol officer's salary is comparable to the average school teacher.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lawyer | $113,310.00 |
| High School Teacher | $54,270.00 |
| Patrol Officer | $54,230.00 |
| Middle School Teacher | $53,130.00 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $52,840.00 |
| Maintenance & Repair Worker | $35,030.00 |
See Complete List of Best Social Services Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Patrol Officers
The highest paid in the patrol officer profession work in the metropolitan areas of San Jose, CA, Oakland, CA, and Santa Ana, CA. The Edison & New Brunswick, NJ area also pays well, as does the city of Nassau, NY.
San Jose, CA
Average Salary: $96,030 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a patrol officer working in San Jose, CA is $96,030, which is $41,800 more than the average pay in the profession.
Oakland, CA
Average Salary: $88,260 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a patrol officer working in Oakland, CA is $88,260, which is $34,030 more than the average pay in the profession.
Santa Ana, CA
Average Salary: $86,820 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a patrol officer working in Santa Ana, CA is $86,820, which is $32,590 more than the average pay in the profession.
Edison & New Brunswick, NJ
Average Salary: $86,000 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a patrol officer working in Edison & New Brunswick, NJ is $86,000, which is $31,770 more than the average pay in the profession.
Nassau, NY
Average Salary: $85,710 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a patrol officer working in Nassau, NY is $85,710, which is $31,480 more than the average pay in the profession.
