District of Columbia Median
$88,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#9 of 51
4,720 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in District of Columbia?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $88,650 per year, or about $42.62 per hour. That is 16% above the national median of $76,210 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $66,420 while the top 10% make $119,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,210 and $107,360 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,420 | $31.93 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,210 | $37.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $88,650 | $42.62 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,360 | $51.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,660 | $57.53 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other states
California $118,880Washington $102,080Illinois $100,520Alaska $99,130Colorado $97,350Delaware $92,970New York $92,790New Jersey $92,610Oregon $88,140Pennsylvania $85,470Hawaii $83,820Minnesota $83,360Connecticut $82,170Massachusetts $78,940Arizona $78,880Nevada $78,140Wisconsin $78,090Maryland $77,970Utah $77,310Rhode Island $77,230Ohio $77,020Texas $75,900Nebraska $74,620North Dakota $74,500Florida $74,470Iowa $74,470Michigan $73,730Indiana $73,370New Hampshire $71,640Montana $70,050New Mexico $69,180Vermont $68,910Maine $67,050Idaho $66,990Wyoming $66,140Virginia $65,870South Dakota $60,740Kentucky $60,490Oklahoma $59,700Missouri $59,460North Carolina $59,300Tennessee $59,280Kansas $59,230Georgia $58,120South Carolina $58,070West Virginia $56,960Alabama $51,270Louisiana $48,380Arkansas $47,670Mississippi $46,140
Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($88,650) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in District of Columbia?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in District of Columbia is $88,650 per year, or about $42.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,420 at the entry level to $119,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 16% more than the national median of $76,210. District of Columbia ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $88,650 a year. About 4,720 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary report
Related salaries
$59,280
median pay · 346,000 employed
$56,600
median pay · 17,000 employed
$93,790
median pay · 114,000 employed
$55,940
median pay · 81,000 employed
$58,940
median pay · 381,000 employed
$46,730
median pay · 9,000 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). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.