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Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Salary in the United States

How much does a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant in the United States is $83,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $107,290
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,500 to $96,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,394
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View as table View as graph 25% $72,500 10% $62,394 90% $107,290 75% $96,000 $83,600 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $96,000 $8,000 $1,846 $46
Average $83,600 $6,967 $1,608 $40
25th Percentile $72,500 $6,042 $1,394 $35
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Key Factors That Influence Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Salaries

A Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Criminal Investigator/Specialist (0-0 years): $75,968
  • Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant (0-5 years): $83,548
  • Police Team Manager (5+ years): $107,233
  • Chief of Police (5-10 years): $130,560
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Criminal Investigator/Specialist0-0 years$75,968
Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant0-5 years$83,548
Police Team Manager5+ years$107,233
Chief of Police5-10 years$130,560
$75,968 Criminal ...
$83,548 Police or...
$107,233 Police Te...
$130,560 Chief of ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $105,400
  • San Francisco: $104,300
  • Oakland: $102,100

What Skills Can Increase a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Standard Operating Procedures (Mentioned in 8.58% Job Postings): A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 4.29% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Standard Operating Procedures 8.58%
SOP 4.29%
Quality Control 1.06%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant's salary.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Planning
$89,452
7%
Coaching
$88,616
6%
Analysis
$87,780
5%
Economics
$87,780
5%
Leadership
$87,780
5%
Presentation
$87,780
5%
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How Education impacts a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeants enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $78,291 and $86,363).

Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.9%
High School 17.4%
Associates 18.6%
Bachelors 42.4%
Masters 16.9%
Doctorate 1.7%
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Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Police Team Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $107,300 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant

Salaries for a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $87,873 in 2023 to around $87,277 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$87,873
2024
$87,967
2025
$87,277
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $87,873
2024 $87,967
2025 $87,277
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant

Here are companies hiring for Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant

1. How much does a police sergeant make in NYPD?

A Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant in the NYPD typically earns between $69,200 and $95,800 annually, with a median salary of around $85,900. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, which is significantly above the national average for similar positions.

2. How much does a police captain make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant ranges from $69,200 to $95,800 per year, with a mid-salary of $85,900. These figures reflect the typical earnings for this role, based on collected salary data.

3. Is a cop above a Sheriff?

The sheriff is the highest-ranking officer in a law enforcement agency, typically elected. Below the sheriff are ranks such as assistant sheriff, division chief, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, and deputy. For context, a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant earns between $69,200 and $95,800, with a median salary of $85,900.

4. Is it hard to become a police sergeant?

Becoming a police sergeant can be challenging, as it usually requires a minimum of 5 years of service and passing a rigorous examination to showcase your knowledge and skills. The role comes with a salary range, with a minimum of $69,200, a mid-range of $85,900, and a maximum of $95,800, reflecting the responsibilities and expertise required.

5. What is the highest paid police officer?

The highest paid police officer roles include Police Captain, with salaries ranging from $87,000 to $172,500, and Chief of Police, earning between $100,500 and $165,000. For a Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant, the salary ranges from $69,200 to $95,800, with a mid-salary of $85,900, reflecting the significant responsibilities of these positions.

6. Which state pays cops the most?

As of May 2023, police or sheriff's patrol sergeants earn a salary range of $69,200 to $95,800, with a median salary of $85,900. While California is known for high police salaries, specific figures for sergeants may vary. Always consider local cost of living when evaluating salary data.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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