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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Wisconsin Median
$78,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#18 of 51
12,320 employed here

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

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers working in Wisconsin earn a median salary of $78,090 per year, or about $37.54 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $76,210 for this occupation.

Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $58,530 while the top 10% make $94,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,450 and $84,850 a year.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in Wisconsin

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$58,530$28.14
25th percentile (early career)$67,450$32.43
50th percentile (median)$78,090$37.54
75th percentile (experienced)$84,850$40.79
90th percentile (top earners)$94,450$45.41

How Wisconsin compares

Wisconsin ranks 18th 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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin pay ($78,090) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Wisconsin is $78,090 per year, or about $37.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,530 at the entry level to $94,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 2% more than the national median of $76,210. Wisconsin ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Yes on pay — Wisconsin pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,090 a year. About 12,320 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers are employed in Wisconsin. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), 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.