As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Police Officer in the United States is $63,052 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, an Entry Level Police Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Entry Level Police Officer'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 an Entry Level Police Officer'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 Entry Level Police Officer | $61,334 |
| Intermediate Level Entry Level Police Officer | $61,839 |
| Senior Level Entry Level Police Officer | $62,345 |
| Specialist Level Entry Level Police Officer | $63,355 |
| Expert Level Entry Level Police Officer | $64,159 |
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 Entry Level Police Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.83% |
| Installation | 2.62% |
| Access Control | 1.46% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Office Management
|
$68,096 |
8%
|
|
Functional Requirements
|
$67,466 |
7%
|
|
Candidate Screening
|
$66,835 |
6%
|
|
Long Term Care
|
$66,835 |
6%
|
|
Insight
|
$66,835 |
6%
|
|
Leadership
|
$66,835 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Level Police Officers enter the field with a Associate'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 an Entry Level Police Officer with a Associate's Degree is between $62,726 and $65,253).
Entry Level Police Officer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.4% |
| High School | 28.1% |
| Associates | 22.4% |
| Bachelors | 40.8% |
| Masters | 5.9% |
| Doctorate | 1.4% |
Understanding how an Entry Level Police Officer'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for an Entry Level Police Officer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $42,883 in 2023 to around $41,874 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Police Officer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $42,883 |
| 2024 | $42,678 |
| 2025 | $41,874 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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