Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$100,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+32% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#3 of 51
29,180 employed here

How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in Illinois?

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers working in Illinois earn a median salary of $100,520 per year, or about $48.33 per hour. That is 32% above the national median of $76,210 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $58,420 while the top 10% make $119,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,480 and $107,810 a year.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$58,420$28.09
25th percentile (early career)$76,480$36.77
50th percentile (median)$100,520$48.33
75th percentile (experienced)$107,810$51.83
90th percentile (top earners)$119,560$57.48

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 3rd 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($100,520) 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 Illinois?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Illinois is $100,520 per year, or about $48.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,420 at the entry level to $119,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 32% more than the national median of $76,210. Illinois ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,520 a year. About 29,180 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.