Best and Worst Places to Be a Cop
CareerVoyages.gov
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers are the third most in-demand profession in the Homeland Security sector. There is projected need for 265,000 officers by the end of 2014; but that is not to say that some states have a higher need than others. The following is a guide to help you navigate, state by state, the law enforcement employment gauntlet.
Top 10 Best Paying Police Jobs By State
(*These stats are based off of mean salaries ending in the year 2006)
State |
Wage |
|
1. |
New Jersey |
$33.88 |
2. |
California |
$33.12 |
3. |
Illinois |
$28.81 |
4. |
Washington |
$28.48 |
5. |
Nevada |
$27.74 |
6. |
Alaska |
$26.98 |
7. |
Connecticut |
$26.72 |
8. |
Pennsylvania |
$25.76 |
9. |
Colorado |
$25.57 |
10. |
Oregon |
$24.76 |
*States not reporting: New York and District of Columbia
Top 10 Worst Paying Police Jobs by State
(*These stats are based off of mean salaries ending in the year 2006)
State |
Wage |
|
1. |
Mississippi |
$13.59 |
2. |
Arkansas |
$13.67 |
3. |
Louisiana |
$13.75 |
4. |
Oklahoma |
$13.88 |
5. |
Tennessee |
$15.26 |
6. |
Missouri |
$15.39 |
7. |
West Virginia |
$15.44 |
8. |
Vermont |
$15.64 |
9. |
Alabama |
$15.80 |
10. |
South Dakota |
$16.07 |
*States not reporting: New York and District of Colombia
Top 10 States By Highest Expected Police Job Growth (between 2006 – 2016)
(*These stats are based off of job growth expectations ending in the year 2006)
State |
# of New Jobs |
|
1. |
California |
12,700 |
2. |
Florida |
7,450 |
3. |
Georgia |
3,530 |
4. |
Arizona |
2,840 |
5. |
New York |
2,820 |
6. |
North Carolina |
2,720 |
7. |
Colorado |
2,280 |
8. |
Tennessee |
2,280 |
9. |
Ohio |
2,240 |
10. |
Missouri |
2,070 |
* States not reporting: Kansas, Texas, Virginia, District of Colombia
Top 10 States By Lowest Expected Police Job Growth (between 2006 – 2016)
(*These stats are based off of job growth expectations ending in the year 2006)
State |
# of New Jobs |
|
1. |
North Dakota |
80 |
2. |
Rhode Island |
120 |
3. |
South Dakota |
120 |
4. |
Alaska |
160 |
5. |
Wyoming |
160 |
6. |
Hawaii |
220 |
7. |
West Virginia |
220 |
8. |
Vermont |
230 |
9. |
Maine |
320 |
10. |
Delaware |
340 |
* States not reporting: Kansas, Texas, Virginia, District of Colombia
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections; the Labor Market Information Office within the State Employment Security Agency
Note: The data for the State Trends and the National Trends tables are not directly comparable. The employment projections period for State Trends is 2004-2014, while the period for National Trends is 2006-2016.
cricket12345
11 months ago
74 Comments
WOW police officers should be paid alot more than what they are getting now. Every where in the united states. You put your life on the line everyday. It's a shame.
crowfeeder
11 months ago
928 Comments
Just because we get pet more money in California, does not mean law enforcement in CA In well paid. Remember my house in Alabama was $160,000 and a similar house in ca was $1,011,600. The pay bump does not cover the difference. Not even close.
229Mick
11 months ago
28 Comments
It's amazing to see NJ and California listed as 'good' for something. Just their habit of overpaying 'government employees' I suppose?
TheMunz
11 months ago
320 Comments
NY Numbers are deceiving. The difference in Large City vs. Upstate is pretty dramatic.
pastor_greene
about 1 year ago
72 Comments
I worked in Washington DC for the FPS for 15 years, I know they are paid well. I live now in Arkansas and I know they pay so poorly they always are understaffed. I applied here and was told I was over qualified, figure that out. LOL.
thedon21
about 1 year ago
8 Comments
After reading this I found another reason to love Texas LEO pay.
lemmonw
about 1 year ago
464 Comments
whooooo WASHINGTON!
gtatsiyenko
over 1 year ago
10 Comments
freido7590 looks like we are screwed. these numbers dont scare me, I'm still gonna get hired in RI.
RetLAAgent
over 1 year ago
8 Comments
31 years in Law Enforcement - Retired from the State of Louisiana - $1,000.00/mo take home! (But I had fun ....)
cgormley1180
over 1 year ago
2 Comments
i gotta get out to california. haha
FattimusPrime
over 1 year ago
372 Comments
Wow, New Mexico is not on any of those lists, Academy Cadets get around 12 an hour, once an officer or deputy it jumps to anywhere from 13-16 depending on agency, but they all use the same academy unless your BIA.
lpd551
over 1 year ago
72 Comments
I live in Kansas it it's so bad we don"t even make the top 10 for the worst LOL
Anonymous
over 1 year ago
NNOOO! I live in Rhode Island :(
capps8602
over 1 year ago
24 Comments
Heck yea!!! Another reason for me to hate being a cop in Tennessee. Please God grant me the ability to carry on.
Realmx
over 1 year ago
20 Comments
Yippie!!!!!! 6. North Carolina 2,720