As of November 01, 2025, the average salary for a Sheriff/Police Chief in the United States is $130,507 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Sheriff/Police Chief's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered Talent
A Sheriff/Police Chief'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Sheriff/Police Chief'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Sheriff/Police Chief | $123,130 |
| Intermediate Level Sheriff/Police Chief | $124,180 |
| Senior Level Sheriff/Police Chief | $125,230 |
| Specialist Level Sheriff/Police Chief | $127,331 |
| Expert Level Sheriff/Police Chief | $130,061 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Sheriff/Police Chieves. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Sheriff/Police Chieves 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 Sheriff/Police Chief with a Bachelor's Degree is between $117,705 and $121,504.
Sheriff/Police Chief Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 2.4% |
| High School | 20.5% |
| Associates | 12.0% |
| Bachelors | 33.7% |
| Masters | 27.1% |
| Doctorate | 4.2% |
Understanding how a Sheriff/Police Chief'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 November 01, 2025Salaries for a Sheriff/Police Chief can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $145,104 in 2023 to around $139,147 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Sheriff/Police Chief salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $145,104 |
| 2024 | $141,655 |
| 2025 | $139,147 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| Median | % of Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $130,507 | 77.6% |
| Bonus | $-7,019 | -4.2% |
| Median | % of Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | $9,447 | 5.6% |
| 401K/403B | $6,051 | 3.6% |
| Disability | $1,976 | 1.2% |
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 3.8% |
| Pension | $5,186 | 3.1% |
| Time Off | $15,673 | 9.3% |
| Total Compensation | $168,192 | 100% |
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Sheriff/Police Chief and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Sheriff/Police Chief job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A Sheriff/Police Chief's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Sheriff/Police Chief earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Sheriff/Police Chief is $164,608.
The highest pay for Sheriff/Police Chief is $154,890.
The lowest pay for Sheriff/Police Chief is $105,360.
Enforces the law on a town, city, or county level. Responsibilities include police service planning, organizational development, personnel management, community policing, and community relations. May also be involved in administrative, financial/budgetary, and operations/labor relations tasks. Requires a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Typically reports to an elected official. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Typically requires at least 10 years of law enforcement experience.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
