GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
$73K/yr
Average Salary
2 years
Years of Education
+3%
Job Growth
667K+
Total Jobs
Maintain law and order, respond to emergencies, and protect people and property.
$45K
Starting
$73K
Average
$101K
Senior
High School Diploma or GED
Foundation requirement for all pathways
Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice
Typically 2 years
Start your career
Entry-level positions and internships
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This role has state-specific licensing. Sign up free to see the right license for your state.
POST Certification (Peace Officer Standards and Training)
Required to practiceState POST Commission (varies by state)
You can enter this career through a government civil service exam — often with no college degree required.
Civil service exams follow set filing windows — check the deadline and apply on time.
Field
Law & Criminal Justice
Required Degree
Associate's Degree
Time in School
2 years
Job Demand
10-Year Job Growth
+3%
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Create free account →Federal labor-market data for Police Officer
Pay range
$45K–$101K
10th–90th percentile
Job growth
+3%
projected 2024–2034
Number of jobs
667K
in 2024
Slower than average
Below-average demand growth expected. Projected to grow from 667K to 687K jobs by 2034.
Typical duties
Read the full duties, work environment, and education requirements on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Open BLS page →
BLS 'Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers' (33-3051). Mean $79,320. 666,990 patrol officers.