Salary of Patrol Officer Overview

What is A patrol officer?

A major part of being a patrol officer involves a lot of writing reports and updating records. When you’re not behind the desk, you’re on patrol, making your presence known in the community and responding to incident reports.

There is clearly a public service element to the job that you might call heroic, but it also comes at a cost to your personal life. Officers work long hours and suffer a high rate of work-related injuries. However, for those with the right personality, a career in protection and service can be very rewarding.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of 7.2 percent for patrol officers between 2020 and 2030. During that period, an estimated 48,600 jobs will be created.

How much does a patrol officer earn?

The average salary for patrol officers in 2020 was $65,540. The top 25 percent earned $86,880 that year, while the lowest 25 percent earned $48,950.

How to become A patrol officer?

Each jurisdiction has its own training requirements for patrol officers. In some, a high school diploma is sufficient. Others want a college degree. Either way, you probably won’t be using much textbook knowledge on the job. Before becoming an officer, you will go through a training academy where you will learn about key legal codes, first aid, firearms, patrol protocol and more. You must also undergo a thorough physical examination.

Those who want to become federal law enforcement officers must expect more intensive training, usually at the US Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, or a federal law enforcement training facility. You must be a US citizen and have a clean criminal record for any of these positions.

Job Satisfaction

The average American works well into their 60s, so workers may have an enjoyable and fulfilling career. A job with a low stress level, good work-life balance, and strong prospects for improvement, promotion, and higher pay make many employees happy. Here’s how patrol officers Job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.

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