Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$118,880
2Washington$102,080
3Illinois$100,520
4Alaska$99,130
5Colorado$97,350

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

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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.