Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Colorado
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Colorado earn a median of $97,350 a year ($46.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $76,210. Colorado ranks 5th of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 3.3 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $90,550, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,340 | $31.41 |
| 25th percentile | $76,640 | $36.85 |
| Median | $97,350 | $46.81 |
| 75th percentile | $102,620 | $49.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Average (mean) | $90,550 | $43.54 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,112.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,056.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,744.23 |
| Weekly | $1,872.12 |
| Hourly | $46.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $101,970 | 4,990 |
| Boulder, CO | $100,060 | 370 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $96,740 | 600 |
| Greeley, CO | $96,620 | 460 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $93,640 | 240 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $91,580 | 1,240 |
| Pueblo, CO | $76,060 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,480 | $50.71 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Bailiff | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Security Guard | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Firefighter | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $102,580 | $49.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $65,490 | $31.49 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Colorado?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Colorado is $97,350 a year, or $46.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Colorado earn at least $109,300 a year. The top 25% earn $102,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,340 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $76,640 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Colorado?
About 9,610 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.