Police Officers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$77,270
~$37/hr · ~$6,439/mo
US Jobs
827K
As fast as average
AI & Automation Risk
4/10
Low Risk
AI & Automation Risk
Low Risk 4/10
The core of the job involves physical presence, emergency response, and manual tasks like making arrests and patrolling, which are resistant to AI. However, a significant portion of the work involves digital tasks such as writing detailed reports, searching databases, and analyzing evidence, all of which are highly susceptible to AI-driven automation and efficiency gains.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $150,650 | Above avg (113.1) | $133,249 |
| Vallejo, CA | $128,470 | Above avg (109.4) | $117,475 |
| Napa, CA | $128,980 | Above avg (111.8) | $115,340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $133,190 | Above avg (117.6) | $113,304 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $121,370 | Above avg (110.3) | $110,083 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $123,140 | Above avg (112.8) | $109,192 |
| Salinas, CA | $122,290 | Above avg (113.2) | $108,048 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $121,050 | Above avg (113.7) | $106,478 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $108,890 | Average (102.5) | $106,249 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $104,460 | Average (98.9) | $105,638 |
| Columbus, OH | $99,960 | Below avg (94.6) | $105,632 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $119,580 | Above avg (113.7) | $105,147 |
| Modesto, CA | $109,770 | Above avg (105.1) | $104,417 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 | Above avg (109.1) | $103,244 |
| Anchorage, AK | $110,180 | Above avg (106.8) | $103,193 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Varies by employer
10-Year Growth
+3% (As fast as average)
Hourly Rate
~$37/hr
Monthly Income
~$6,439/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)