Police and sheriff's patrol officers
SOC Code: 33-3051Also known as:
Accident Prevention Squad Police Officer, Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent (ALE Agent), Animal Cop, Border Guard, Border Patrol Agent
Median Annual Salary
$76,290
+3.1% growth (2024-2034)
54K
Openings/Year
699K
Current Jobs
What Police and sheriff's patrol officers Do
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
💰 Salary
$76,290
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.1%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
54K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
698,800
Projected Employment (2034)
720,800
Related Careers
Compliance officers
$78,420 •
+3.0% growth
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980 •
+2.9% growth
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580 •
-0.7% growth
Transit and railroad police
$82,320 •
+3.0% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
- Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
- Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
- Render aid to accident survivors and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
- Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
- Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
- Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
- Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
- Relay complaint and emergency-request information to appropriate agency dispatchers.
- Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Police and sheriff's patrol officers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a police and sheriff's patrol officers:
Criminal Justice/Police Science
20,474 degrees awarded •
528 colleges offer this program
Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
2,175 degrees awarded •
64 colleges offer this program
Criminalistics and Criminal Science
584 degrees awarded •
28 colleges offer this program
Law Enforcement Investigation and Interviewing
300 degrees awarded •
15 colleges offer this program
Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
224 degrees awarded •
21 colleges offer this program
Protective Services Operations
56 degrees awarded •
9 colleges offer this program
Critical Incident Response/Special Police Operations
35 degrees awarded •
1 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Police and sheriff's patrol officers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become police and sheriff's patrol officers.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make?
The median annual salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers is $76,290.
What education do police and sheriff's patrol officers need?
Most police and sheriff's patrol officers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Criminal Justice/Police Science, Criminal Justice and Corrections, General, Criminalistics and Criminal Science.
Is becoming police and sheriff's patrol officers a good career choice?
Police and sheriff's patrol officers is projected to see +3.1% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 53,700 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for police and sheriff's patrol officers?
Top colleges for aspiring police and sheriff's patrol officers include
Florida International University, George Mason University, Rowan University, Texas A & M International University, University of Arizona.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to police and sheriff's patrol officers?
Police and sheriff's patrol officers may also be known as: Accident Prevention Squad Police Officer, Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent (ALE Agent), Animal Cop, Border Guard, Border Patrol Agent, Border Patrol Officer, Campus Police Officer, Canine Deputy (K-9 Deputy), Canine Handler (K-9 Handler), Canine Police Officer (K-9 Police Officer), Certified Police Officer, City Constable, City Marshal, Civil Division Deputy Sheriff, Civil Process Server, Community Service Officer (CSO), Community Service Patrol Officer, Complaint Evaluation Officer, Constable, Cop.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.