North Dakota Median
$74,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#25 of 51
1,630 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in North Dakota?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in North Dakota take home a median of $74,500 annually — roughly $35.82 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $76,210.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $58,620 while the top 10% make $91,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,670 and $78,050 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,620 | $28.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,670 | $30.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,500 | $35.82 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,050 | $37.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,440 | $43.96 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 25th 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 $92,610District of Columbia $88,650Oregon $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 $74,620Florida $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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($74,500) 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 North Dakota?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in North Dakota is $74,500 per year, or about $35.82 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,620 at the entry level to $91,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 2% less than the national median of $76,210. North Dakota ranks 25th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $74,500 a year. About 1,630 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in North Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), 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.