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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$85,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#11 of 51
26,510 employed here

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

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers working in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $85,470 per year, or about $41.09 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $76,210 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $48,680 while the top 10% make $109,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,080 and $96,970 a year.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,680$23.40
25th percentile (early career)$63,080$30.33
50th percentile (median)$85,470$41.09
75th percentile (experienced)$96,970$46.62
90th percentile (top earners)$109,780$52.78

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 11th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($85,470) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Pennsylvania is $85,470 per year, or about $41.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,680 at the entry level to $109,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 12% more than the national median of $76,210. Pennsylvania ranks 11th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Yes on pay — Pennsylvania pays above the national median for this occupation, at $85,470 a year. About 26,510 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in Pennsylvania. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.