First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$106,040
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$50.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$165,110
entry level starts ~$63,350
Pay Grade
A
excellent pay · 155,000 employed

How much do First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives make?

The median pay for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in the United States is $106,040 per year — about $50.98 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $63,350, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $165,110.

That is $44,650 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives salary range by percentile

Half of all First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn between $81,860 and $132,620 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$63,350$30.46
25th percentile (early career)$81,860$39.36
50th percentile (median)$106,040$50.98
75th percentile (experienced)$132,620$63.76
90th percentile (top earners)$165,110$79.38

Highest-paying states for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives pay at $163,960 a year, followed by New Jersey ($142,990) and Hawaii ($140,590). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $59,860 — a gap of $104,100 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1California$163,960$78.83+55%
2New Jersey$142,990$68.75+35%
3Hawaii$140,590$67.59+33%
4Alaska$137,320$66.02+29%
5Washington$136,280$65.52+29%

Workforce and education

About 155,000 people work as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $112,190 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives make in the United States?
The median First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives salary in the United States is $106,040 per year, or about $50.98 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,350, while the top 10% of earners make $165,110 or more.
How does First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of A (excellent pay), the First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives median of $106,040 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives the most?
California is the highest-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives, with a median salary of $163,960 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives work in the United States?
About 155,000 people were employed as First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

Related salaries

Other protective service roles with similar pay.

Transportation Security Screener

$66,770
median pay · 50,000 employed

First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers

$77,970
median pay · 53,000 employed

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

$93,790
median pay · 114,000 employed

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

$76,210
median pay · 671,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.